Why Kole NRM Boss Wants Women Council Polls Cancelled as “Rebel” MPs Allegedly Back Opposition

What the report says

Kole District NRM chairperson and National Executive Committee member Anyati Lillian has asked the ruling party’s leadership to cancel recent Women Council elections in the district, alleging that some senior NRM figures helped opposition-leaning candidates. In a letter dated August 24, 2026, and addressed to NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, she urged urgent intervention, saying Kole was at risk of drifting toward UPC and NUP influence through interference by party leaders, including some MPs.

According to the report, Anyati wants the NRM disciplinary committee to examine district executive members she says campaigned for rival candidates. She pointed to the Okwerodot sub-county Women Council race, where former Kole District Woman MP Judith Alyek lost to independent candidate Betty Atim by 21 votes to 19. Alyek disputed the outcome, alleging pressure on voters and breaches of NRM electoral rules. Returning Officer Paul Awany said the result was lawfully declared after tallying, while Atim accepted the outcome and said she would serve residents.

Anyati also alleged irregular persuasion of NRM-aligned voters in the district-level contest, and said party members should not use official certification or the party stamp to back other political formations. She is asking the party to nullify the affected sub-county and district polls, remove stamp-related powers, and hold fresh elections. The letter was copied to President Yoweri Museveni and other NRM officials. The claims remain unverified, and the article does not show an independent response from the party leadership.