In what has become one of the most hotly contested and emotionally charged political events in Eastern Uganda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries for Serere District Woman Member of Parliament have ended in both jubilation and unrest.
On Friday Morning, the NRM electoral commission in Serere declared the incumbent and State Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa, as the official party flag bearer for the 2026 general elections.
According to the final tally, Adoa clinched a commanding victory with 32,922 votes, defeating her closest rival Esther Lucy Acom, who garnered 21,175 votes. A third candidate, Florence Iyogil, managed only 67 votes.
However, the declaration has not settled the political dust. Instead, it has stirred a whirlwind of protests, counterclaims, and confusion, leaving voters and party supporters in a state of uncertainty.
In a dramatic turn of events, Esther Lucy Acom has publicly rejected the outcome of the polls, alleging electoral malpractice.
On Saturday night, conflicting posts flooded social media, some purporting that Acom had been declared the true NRM flag bearer.
The viral posts sparked spontaneous celebrations among her supporters in several trading centres across Serere District, with songs of victory, processions, and celebratory ululations echoing through the streets.
But the euphoria was short-lived.
On Sunday morning, NRM Serere District leadership issued a firm clarification.
“As of July 18, 2025, our official flag bearer remains Hon. Hellen Adoa,” the statement stated.
“We have received a formal petition from Acom, and it is now before the party’s electoral tribunal. Until a final decision is made, we urge supporters to remain calm and refrain from spreading misinformation or engaging in violence.”
The appeal for calm did little to quell the ongoing online debate and tension in the district.
Questions persist: Did Acom have a genuine case? Could the NRM tribunal overturn the results? And how did the conflicting declaration originate?
Responding to the controversy, Minister Adoa did not hold back.
Addressing journalists at May7 in Soroti City, the visibly confident minister dismissed the counterclaims as a political stunt driven by misinformation and false hope.
“Lies don’t last,” Adoa said. “They may last a night or a morning, but soon, the truth emerges, and it will be embarrassing for them. The same people who made noise on social media are now crying because they were promised money that never came.”
Adoa alleged that her rival, Acom, and her backers had mobilized groups with false promises of 300,000 shillings each to stage celebratory chaos on social media and in trading centres.
“They organized a team to make noise claiming victory, but it was all orchestrated deception,” she said. “Let them know, there is only one flag bearer, and it is me.”
The minister urged her supporters to disregard social media rumors and concentrate on post-election recovery and service delivery.
“I am not just a politician. I work day and night. I have health camps scheduled, equipment ready for community distribution, and support planned for each village,” she added.
Adoa’s address carried a blend of confidence and caution. She reminded those pushing for unrest that any violence or intimidation would lead to legal consequences.
“The moment they start beating people and recording statements, some of them will be arrested. Don’t accept to be used by failures,” she warned.
Minister Adoa attributed her victory not just to votes, but to what she called “social capital.”
She claimed to have established a deep connection with the people of Serere through healthcare programs, community support, and consistent visibility since her first election in 2011.
“Do you know how many health camps I have held in Serere? How many women and children I have supported? That cannot be erased by one night of lies,” she said.
She then directed an emotional appeal to her younger challengers.
“To the young ladies who contested with me, don’t be diverted by greedy politicians who have eaten enough. Come and support your mother, and I will support you in the future.”
Her speech concluded with a strong assertion: “There will be no re-election. I have a clear vote, and they, who caused chaos at polling stations, should be the ones answering cases.”
On the other side of the divide, Esther Lucy Acom has maintained that the declared results do not reflect the will of the people.
In a strongly worded statement shared through Teso Media Group Facebook page, she rejected the outcome: “I refuse to accept the outcome of the elections in Serere. I stand with the people, and we can’t allow our victory to be fraudulently taken away. Mam ejie edauna,” she declared.
Also in a recorded message via Teso Vibez Online, Acom thanked her supporters for their unwavering dedication and composure amid the storm.
“I’m getting overwhelming calls encouraging me to be calm. And I want to pass that same message to you, stay calm and firm. We are together,” she said.
Acom expressed deep dissatisfaction with the electoral process, suggesting that irregularities marred several polling stations.
“We observed the entire election, and we know the truth. That is why I’ve submitted a formal petition to the NRM electoral commission,” she said. “Let us wait for their response, and I will keep everyone updated.”
Her supporters argue that the results in certain sub-counties were suspiciously altered, and they claim some polling agents were denied access during critical moments of vote tallying.
The situation has left Serere residents in a state of uncertainty.
In various trading centres, conversations are dominated by one question: Who is the real flag bearer?
“We don’t know who to trust anymore,” said Amos Ocen, a resident of Kasilo. “In the morning, Adoa was declared. At night, we saw posters saying Acom was the winner. Then the registrar came back and said it’s still Adoa. What’s really happening?”
In Oburin, a group of women who claimed to have voted for Acom expressed frustration.
“We want transparency. If Adoa won, show us how. But if Acom was cheated, the party should correct the mistake,” one said.
NRM leaders at the district level now face the task of calming the electorate and guiding the process toward a peaceful resolution.
Some have privately admitted that the handling of results and messaging could have been better managed to prevent the confusion.
With Acom’s petition formally lodged, all eyes are now on the NRM electoral tribunal.
Its decision will not only determine the party’s official flag bearer for Serere but also set a precedent for how internal disputes are addressed ahead of the 2026 general elections.
If the tribunal finds merit in Acom’s complaint, it could order a recount or even a re-run, though such outcomes are rare. Alternatively, the tribunal may uphold the initial result, paving the way for Adoa to launch her official campaign as the NRM candidate.
In the meantime, the party leadership has urged both camps to exercise restraint and avoid inflammatory rhetoric or actions that could fracture the party’s support base in the district.
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