IN TROUBLE: Esther Lucy Acom
Tensions remain high in Serere District following the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries for the Woman Member of Parliament flag bearer seat, as the party’s tribunal is set to begin hearing election petitions tomorrow.
This comes amidst fresh concerns from locals over alleged insecurity caused by the continued use of catapults by supporters linked to NRM primary loser, Esther Lucy Acom.
Several voters across Serere District have raised alarm over what they term as “an emerging culture of violence and intimidation” linked to Acom’s camp.
According to residents, catapults are increasingly being used as weapons of aggression, particularly in Kyere and Kateta sub-counties.
Veronica Apio, a mobilizer from Kyere Sub County, expressed deep concern over the trend.
“We are worried for our safety. Catapults were originally used for hunting birds and small animals, but now they are being wielded by political supporters to intimidate voters. This must stop,” Apio said.
Similarly, Oluka Silver from Pokor A village, along with Ocen Denis from Kamusala A and Olota Simon from Kamusala B, petitioned security forces to urgently intervene.
“Before gunpowder and modern firearms, catapults were ancient siege weapons used in warfare. Seeing them now being used in political clashes is frightening and unacceptable,” Oluka noted.
Residents argue that such acts not only threaten peace but could escalate into serious violence if unchecked.
Kateta Sub County LCIII Chairperson, Amos Ochola, strongly condemned the practice, calling it “a dangerous and backward tactic” that risks plunging Serere into further insecurity.
“The catapult is a deadly weapon historically used for hunting and in ancient wars. Its continued use in political rivalries can only result in injuries or loss of lives,” Ochola warned. “I call upon security agencies to step up surveillance and disarm those using these weapons.”
Meanwhile, Minister Hellen Adoa, who emerged victorious in the primaries, has called for calm among her supporters and all voters in Serere.
Adoa urged unity within the NRM party and extended an olive branch to her challengers.
“Elections should not divide us. I appeal to my competitors and their supporters to embrace dialogue rather than violence. We must avoid defamatory language, hate speech, and acts that breed insecurity,” Adoa emphasized.
The minister also reiterated her earlier appeal for increased security deployment in the district ahead of the 2026 general elections, citing growing political tensions.
Efforts to get a formal response from Acom’s team regarding the allegations went unanswered.
However, sources close to her campaign insist that the “catapult controversy” is being exaggerated by political opponents.
One insider, who preferred anonymity, claimed that the so-called “catapult movement” is symbolic rather than violent, allegedly aimed at “bringing down Minister Adoa,” popularly nicknamed “Ajele.”
Despite these claims, residents maintain that the physical use of catapults in some trading centers has been witnessed and documented, fueling anxiety in the district.
District security officials have pledged to investigate the catapult allegations, with plans to conduct patrols in hotspot areas.
Authorities have also urged political actors to exercise restraint and report grievances through legal and party structures rather than resorting to violence.
Relatedly, The NRM Electoral Tribunal, chaired by renowned lawyer George Musiime, is expected to handle a series of petitions related to hotly contested NRM primaries cross the country.
Among the petitions include that filed by Acom, which saw Minister Hellen Adoa declared winner after garnering 32,922 votes against Acom’s 21,175.
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