The race for the Soroti City NRM Chairperson post has taken a dramatic turn amid allegations that some aspirants are deliberately hiding delegates ahead of today’s highly anticipated elections.
Will Bisanga, the incumbent NRM Chairperson and one of the four candidates in the tight race, sounded the alarm in a strongly worded statement issued last evening in one of Soroti City NRM Platforms.
According to Bisanga, some rival camps are reportedly engaging in unethical conduct by isolating and concealing delegates in a bid to manipulate the outcome of the vote.
“Please advise candidates and rival camps of candidates that are hiding voters that more documents and guidelines relating to this election have been received from the Secretariat,” Bisanga stated. “Therefore, it is prudent to arrive early enough to be sensitized.”
Bisanga, who has served as the Soroti City NRM Chairperson since the city’s creation, is facing a formidable challenge from three aspirants, Abdul Latiff, Anthony Egunyu, and John Enomu.
The election is part of the broader NRM internal structures’ polls to consolidate party leadership across the country ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The voting exercise is scheduled to take place at the Teso College Aloet East playfield, with voting expected to begin at exactly 10:00 AM, according to the NRM Electoral Commission’s roadmap.
Over 200 NRM delegates from across Soroti City are expected to participate.
The allegations of voter concealment have cast a shadow over the credibility of the election, prompting concerns from within the party ranks.
Justine Okello, the Soroti City NRM Register, acknowledged the reports but urged calm, expressing hope that the election will proceed smoothly.
“We are aware of the concerns, but as a party, we remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election process,” Okello said in an interview with Teso Advanced News a local news website operating in Teso. “Our focus is to ensure that every registered delegate is given the opportunity to vote without intimidation or manipulation.”
Political observers say the high stakes involved in this election have intensified the rivalry among the four candidates.
The position of NRM Chairperson in Soroti City is seen as a powerful role that offers significant influence in determining the party’s future direction and candidate endorsements in the city and beyond.
Campaigns in the past weeks have been characterized by door-to-door lobbying, mobilization of youth and women leagues, and subtle attacks among the candidates.
However, today’s developments mark a new low, raising concerns over whether internal party democracy is being upheld.
One of the candidates, who preferred anonymity, dismissed Bisanga’s claims as a strategy to discredit his opponents.
“This is a desperate attempt by someone who feels the ground is shifting. All candidates should respect the process and allow delegates to decide freely,” he said.
On the ground in Soroti City, the atmosphere remains tense but calm.
Delegates began arriving at the venue early in the morning, undergoing a verification process before being allowed to access the voting grounds.
Security has also been heightened, with police and party vigilance teams deployed to ensure order and monitor any suspicious activities.
NRM’s Secretariat in Kampala has yet to comment on the developments, but insiders say a team of observers from the national office has been dispatched to oversee the Soroti City elections in light of the emerging reports.
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