A political firestorm has erupted in Serere District following the controversial declaration of Minister Hellen Adoa as the NRM flag bearer for Woman MP. The announcement, made by NRM Registrar Michael Olobo, has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, with rival candidate Acom Esther Lucy and her supporters vehemently rejecting what they label a "stolen victory orchestrated through fraud, intimidation, and betrayal of democratic principles."

According to the results read by Olobo, Hellen Adoa, the State Minister for Fisheries, was awarded 32,922 votes against Acom’s 21,175. However, Acom's camp asserts these numbers are indicative of deep-seated manipulation, systemic electoral abuse, and widespread disenfranchisement of Serere’s voters.

Serious allegations of electoral malpractice have emerged from various sub-counties:

Kyere Sub-county: Reports indicate that voters were coerced and bribed into casting ballots without proper oversight from NRM registrars. Multiple witnesses accuse Adoa’s agents of personally paying off voters and forging results, particularly in highly contested polling stations such as New York Primary School, Kelim, Olupe, Kangodo, and Omagoro. These alleged irregularities are said to have given Adoa an unnatural lead in areas where her support was reportedly waning. "There were no registrars at the polling station. Adoa’s team came with coupons, paid voters 20,000 shillings, and filled in forged declaration forms,” an anonymous voter at Omagoro claimed.

Kateta Sub-county: Democracy was reportedly "openly strangled" in Kateta, with seven polling stations, including Abokony, Anyangan A, and Anyangan B, allegedly never conducting elections. Reports suggest that NRM registrars, upon observing massive support for Acom, fled with polling materials, only to later forge and submit results at the tally center. “How can a station that never voted submit results? This is criminal,” exclaimed a furious voter from Abokony, adding, “They saw Acom’s supporters and ran like thieves in the night.”

Kasilo County: Allegations of result manipulation also dominate Kasilo. Registrars are accused of deliberately altering declaration forms, deleting Acom’s victories, and inflating Adoa’s numbers. 
 

The electorate in Serere has not remained silent. Across the district, residents are taking to the streets, villages, and local radio stations to express their profound discontent. Many are urging Acom Esther Lucy to defy the party’s disputed decision and stand as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election.

“Adoa has robbed the victory of the people,” said Esther Amoding of Kadungulu. “She bribed her way through. We call on President Museveni to reject this illegitimate outcome.” Francis Okello from Kyere echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are NRM, but not slaves to injustice. Acom is the people’s choice. This battle is not over.”

All fingers point to District NRM Registrar Michael Olobo as the alleged mastermind behind the electoral irregularities. Locals accuse him of collaborating with Adoa, ignoring numerous complaints, blocking Acom’s agents from accessing polling centers, and ultimately signing off on what they describe as fake results.

“This is not just electoral malpractice; it’s treason against the people’s will,” declared one youth leader from Kyere.

In a defiant statement, Esther Lucy Acom firmly refused to concede the election. “We reject the results. We cannot bow to fraud. We are all members of the NRM, but I stand with the people,” she asserted. “I will never take this betrayal for granted.”

Her supporters are reportedly already mobilizing for the next course of action, with strong calls for her to contest as an independent in the general election.

The ongoing situation in Serere is being viewed as a critical test of democratic principles within the NRM. Critics argue that the alleged suffocation of democracy through intimidation, bribery, and electoral theft undermines the will of the people. While Hellen Adoa’s declared victory may be backed by numerical figures, it lacks the one essential element for a legitimate mandate: the perceived will of the people.

If the NRM leadership fails to thoroughly address these grave allegations, Serere District could become the epicenter of a significant political revolt that the party may find challenging to contain.