By Jamillah Kemigisa
A massive voter strike has brought operations at the Kyenjojo District NRM tally center to a standstill, following the controversial declaration of Baguma Spelanza Muhenda as the winner of the Woman MP party primaries—despite preliminary results indicating Faith Philo Kunihira had won.
According to official figures announced by Returning Officer Ruhweza Mathias, Spelanza garnered 44,616 votes (40%), narrowly edging out Kunihira, who reportedly received 44,468 votes (38%). However, Kunihira’s supporters strongly contested the declaration, insisting that these figures were switched—arguing Kunihira was in fact the rightful winner with 40% of the vote.
“We saw it with our own eyes. The DR forms clearly show that Kunihira won,” a protester shouted as crowds surged toward the tally center in protest.
Tensions exploded minutes after the results were announced, with Kunihira’s supporters accusing the electoral team of vote manipulation and demanding an immediate reversal of the results. Protesters alleged that the tally center deliberately swapped DR form figures to favor Baguma Spelanza.
Amid the rising unrest, Resident District Commissioner Monday Christopher ordered a vote recount, citing visible inconsistencies in the results submitted from various polling stations.
However, the recount only fueled further suspicion. Matters escalated dramatically when Tourism Minister Tom Butime—neither a candidate nor an accredited agent—allegedly entered the tally center under unclear circumstances. Shortly after his presence, results were again confirmed in Baguma Spelanza’s favor, further enraging the crowd.
The situation quickly spiraled into chaos. Protesters—many chanting slogans and waving placards—stormed the tally center, blocked roads, and demanded the immediate cancellation of the results.
“We are not leaving. We are ready to defend Kunihira’s victory with our blood if we must,” declared one visibly angry voter.
What began as a peaceful protest soon turned violent. Vehicles were vandalized, roads barricaded, and residents reported being searched by mobs allegedly looking for Butime, who they accuse of masterminding the alleged rigging.
Police responded with force, firing teargas to disperse the increasingly agitated crowds. Eyewitnesses described the crackdown as brutal and indiscriminate, leaving the area around the district headquarters engulfed in chaos. Shops were shuttered, and residents fled amid clouds of choking gas.
Baguma Spelanza has maintained that she won the election fairly, citing her copies of the DR forms as proof. However, Kunihira’s camp insists the tallying process was tampered with, and they continue to demand an independent audit of the results.
The Electoral Commission has not yet issued an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, political observers warn that unless the NRM acts swiftly and transparently, the unrest could deepen and damage the party’s credibility ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Calls are mounting for a full audit of the tallying process and disciplinary action against those implicated in the alleged vote manipulation.
As of now, Kyenjojo remains on edge, with no sign that the voter strike—or the public outrage—is abating anytime soon.
