National Female Youth MP Candidates to boycott NRM Internal Elections over Nakku Age-Limit Dispute

By Our Reporter

 

NATIONAL

 

Che

KAMPALA — A brewing crisis within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has culminated in a coordinated threat of boycott by several aspirants for the National Female Youth MP ticket, who say they will not contest party primaries unless the NRM Electoral Commission deals decisively with allegations that a fellow contender, Fiona Nakku, flouts the youth age limit and is being shielded by party insiders.

 

Below are the female youth MP Contestants who are petitioning NRM Electoral Commission.

The dispute centres on a petition lodged by youth leader, Moses Mufakinaye, a.k.a Omujujugu, who alleges that Nakku is 31 years old and therefore outside the 18–30 age bracket set out in the National Youth Council Act for youth leadership positions.

The petition — which Mr Omujujugu says is supported by official documents — further accuses Nakku of having close family ties to the party establishment, claiming she is the sister of NRM National Treasurer Hon. Nekesa Barbara Oundo.

NIRA refusal to amend ID

 

The petition is bolstered by information that the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) rejected a request from Nakku to alter her date of birth on her national ID. Sources within NIRA told reporters that Nakku approached the authority seeking an amendment after realising she could be disqualified. NIRA said an internal review of existing birth records and identification documents found the original details to be accurate, and the request was declined.

 

A number of young female aspirants have issued a joint stance refusing to participate in the flagbearer contest unless the party verifies eligibility, investigates the conflict-of-interest claims and sanctions any officials found to have interfered in the process. The candidates say the allegations amount to “internal sabotage” that undermines the rule of law and the fairness of NRM internal elections.

 

“The integrity of the youth wing and the credibility of NRM primaries are at stake,” one of the aspirants said in a statement circulated to party members and media. “We will not legitimise a process that appears rigged by favouritism and family connections.”

 

The petitioners and the female aspirants are asking the NRM Electoral Commission to publicly release its vetting records for all candidates, confirm the verified ages of flagbearer hopefuls, and clarify the role — if any — played by party officers alleged to have campaigned on behalf of a candidate.

 

NRM Electoral Commission and party secretariat silence

As of publication, the NRM Electoral Commission had not issued a public response to the accusations. Party officials contacted for comment did not immediately respond, and the office of the NRM Secretary General has not provided a statement addressing claims of interference by senior party figures.

A central aspect of the controversy is whether internal vetting procedures were properly followed. Under the National Youth Council Act, youth representation is reserved for persons aged 18 to 30, a threshold that aspiring candidates must meet. If the age allegation is substantiated, it would render any candidacy invalid and could trigger disciplinary action against officials who assisted the ineligible aspirant.

 

Political stakes and implications

 

Political observers warn that failure by the NRM to handle the matter transparently could deepen mistrust among the party’s younger membership at a time when the youth vote is highly contested. “Perceptions of impunity and favouritism can quickly erode grassroots confidence,” said a political analyst who requested anonymity. “For a ruling party that relies on a strong youth structure, this is potentially damaging.”

 

The incident also raises questions about party governance and the independence of its electoral mechanisms. Allegations that district registrars — party-appointed officials charged with administering primaries — were instructed to campaign are particularly sensitive, since they strike at the impartiality of the process.

What comes next

The female aspirants’ threat to boycott forces a test of the NRM Electoral Commission’s willingness and capacity to enforce its own rules. Options for the party include an immediate audit of candidate documents, an independent verification of contested age records, public disclosure of vetting outcomes, and disciplinary proceedings against any party official found to have breached electoral regulations.

 

If the commission fails to act, the boycott could proceed to the detriment of turnout, candidate legitimacy and the broader youth mobilisation efforts of the NRM ahead of national contests.

 

This newsroom will continue to monitor developments and seeks comment from the NRM Electoral Commission, the office of the National Treasurer and Ms. Nakku. We will update the story as further information becomes available.