(In Uganda) Minister Chris Baryomunsi Rejects NRM Western Vice Chair Poll Results, Cites Irregularities

 

In Uganda, State Minister for ICT Chris Baryomunsi has rejected the results of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Western Region Vice Chairperson election, where he was defeated by engineer Jonard Asiimwe. Asiimwe secured 4,044 votes (58.9%), while Baryomunsi garnered 2,303 votes (33.6%), according to the NRM Electoral Commission. Baryomunsi alleged widespread irregularities, including bribery, multiple voting, and voter manipulation, and confronted President Yoweri Museveni during the process, declaring the results “illegitimate.” Museveni promised an investigation but dismissed claims of deliberate rigging.

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Asiimwe’s win is attributed to his robust grassroots mobilization, strategic campaign, and appeal to younger voters, bolstered by support from figures like Minister Balaam Barugahara. The victory marks a significant setback for Baryomunsi, a key NRM figure in Western Uganda, potentially weakening his influence and complicating his 2026 re-election bid in Kanungu District. Analysts view Asiimwe’s rise as a sign of a generational shift within the NRM, with younger leaders gaining ground through effective grassroots strategies.