A group of candidates who were defeated in the 2020 National Resistance Movement (NRM) party elections in the Kigezi sub-region have expressed dissatisfaction with the update and membership verification exercise that ended yesterday countrywide.

During a press briefing at the White Horse Inn in Kabale, the group criticized the organization and execution of the exercise, fearing that without proper handling, similar challenges faced in previous primaries might resurface next year.

Innocent Rwakiseeta, a former aspirant from the Rubanda West constituency in the Rubanda district, was surprised to discover that in the Rubanda district, registrations were conducted without utilizing the existing NRM register to update members' credentials. 

Izidol Tumusiime, a former contestant from Bukimbiri County, Kisoro district, highlighted the lack of adequate sensitization for the exercise, resulting in many potential members missing out on registration.

During the same press conference, Rtd. Lt Moses Mugisha Magufuli, the National Coordinator for Transformer Cadre Association Uganda, representing former NRM primary election losers nationwide, criticized the Party's central executive committee (CEC) for launching the register update activity without consulting disgruntled members.

However, Henry Musasizi, the State Minister for Finance in charge of General Duties and the NRM chairperson for Rubanda district, explained that some districts, including Rubanda, were forced to form new registers due to the secretariat's failure to provide old registers for most new districts.

The nationwide register update by the NRM concluded on Sunday, March 17, after a five-day exercise. Richard Todwong, the party Secretary-General, acknowledged the challenges faced in some districts and assured that they would be addressed promptly.