By Our Reporter
Soroti District - Vincent Enomu, the runner-up in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) LC5 primaries for Soroti District, has formally rejected the results, citing widespread irregularities and procedural injustices. He has announced his intention to contest as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections.
The NRM electoral commission declared Bob Owiny the winner of the hotly contested primaries, securing 34,451 votes (47.3%) against Enomu’s 29,488 votes (40.5%). However, Enomu claims the outcome was manipulated and alleges that the process was marred by voter intimidation, violence, and unlawful nullification of votes in key polling stations.
According to Enomu, votes from several of his stronghold areas, including Ajonyi A and B polling stations in Oculoi Sub-county, were nullified by the NRM district registrar, James Egaru, on grounds of premature voting. Additionally, votes from Ceele C in Tubur Sub-county were discarded due to violence during polling.
"My agents were arrested in the middle of the process, and some results were unfairly canceled. This is a deliberate effort to disenfranchise voters who supported me,” Enomu said, adding that he believes the election was neither free nor fair.
His decision to run as an independent candidate adds a new dimension to the upcoming 2026 LC5 race in Soroti District, likely turning it into one of the most competitive contests in the region.
The controversy surrounding the Soroti primaries is unfolding amid broader concerns within the NRM party. President Yoweri Museveni has condemned electoral malpractice during the primaries, stating that investigations are underway and some individuals have already been arrested and charged.
"The integrity of our internal democratic processes must be upheld. The state security and investigative agencies are taking action against those found culpable,” President Museveni stated in a recent address.