Bugweri, Uganda: The Woman Member of Parliament for Bugweri District, Hon. Racheal Magoola, popularly known as Obangaina, has publicly announced she will run as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections, accusing the NRM election tribunal of bias in handling her petition against alleged malpractice in the recent party primaries.
The NRM primaries saw Ms. Amina Mutesi Nalugoda declared winner, a result Magoola contested, citing violence, voter intimidation, and irregularities in the vote tally.
“They didn’t have evidence from the ground but relied on a few papers, which anyone could twist. We know very well that vote rigging was rampant, someone could get 90 votes and they would reflect 900,” Magoola told reporters on Thursday.
She claimed some declaration forms were filled out in government offices to alter results and alleged that government officials, whom she declined to name, were involved.
Magoola also condemned violence against her supporters, citing an incident in Butende where one voter reportedly lost an ear in election-day clashes. “The one who claims to have won got implausibly high numbers; 842 votes out of 842 registered voters in one village. We know this was stage-managed,” she said.
The incumbent MP criticised the NRM’s lining-up voting method, saying it allowed youth groups aligned with her opponent to scare away elderly voters, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Declaring her independent run with the Chair as her symbol, Magoola insisted she remains loyal to NRM’s ideals despite the fallout: “You know very well that I am purely NRM. We were ashamed as a party over what happened. This is why I’m running independent.”
She also refuted viral social media claims that her mother, former Woman MP for Greater Iganga Magoola Zirabamuzale Menya, had died on polling day—alleging the rumour was spread by rival camps to destabilise her campaign.
Meanwhile, DailyExpress understands that Bugweri RDC, Mr. Magala Banuri, has been accused by some political players of siding with Hajji Wandera Sadala, the current NRM MP flag bearer for Bugweri constituency, who is reportedly allied with Nalugoda in an effort to unseat Magoola.
(daily express)