Candidates for National Resistance Movement primaries in Kayunga District have accused the party's district registrar's office of being behind the massive vote rigging that resulted into the cancellation of the district's voting exercise on Monday.

The elections, which had started at around noon on Monday, were called off after a number of supporters were arrested with pre-ticked ballot papers. During a meeting convened in Kayunga Town on Tuesday to discuss ways of ensuring a free and fair election on Saturday, the candidates claimed that the registrar's office was responsible for the rigging because it sold ballot papers to some candidates.

Mr Amos Lugoloobi, one of the candidates for the Ntenjeru North MP seat accused the registrar, Mr Charles Wandera, of allowing some candidates to register students so that they vote in favour of his rival Sazir Mayanja. However, Mr Wandera denied the accusations, saying he was not aware of the source of the ballot papers.

"We should work together to fight acts of rigging in Saturdays elections. Security will be doubled during election," Mr Wandera said. The candidates also agreed not to allow students to vote.

In Mubende, a the LC 3 chairman for Bagezza Sub-county, Mr Lawrence Serunjogi, has quit the party after losing to his opponent. In his September 1 letter to the NRM party chairman, Mr Serunjogi cites election malpractice for defecting the party.

Mr Serunjogi said he has already handed over his NRM party card No. 07934602 to the NRM district administrative secretary, Mr Salim Lutaaya. Mubende RDC Steven Nsubuga Bewaayo said Mr Serunjogi is acting out of anger.