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A photo montage of some political aspirants. By Mike RwothomioZombo The National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership in Zombo District has issued a statement urging party members to disregard rumors alleging that certain candidates were disqualified due to fraudulent academic credentials, commonly referred to as “fake papers.” These rumors, described as baseless […]
A photo montage of some political aspirants.
By Mike Rwothomio
Zombo
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership in Zombo District has issued a statement urging party members to disregard rumors alleging that certain candidates were disqualified due to fraudulent academic credentials, commonly referred to as “fake papers.”
These rumors, described as baseless by party officials, are seen as intentionally false and deliberately misleading narratives designed to undermine candidates and sow discord within the party that boasts of 130,730 registered members out of the District Population of over 300,000.
Sadiki Onencan, NRM’s Publicity Secretary for Zombo, addressed the rumors in an interview on July 1, 2025, dismissing claims of candidate disqualifications as “lies” propagated by detractors.
He confirmed that the NRM officially nominated nine candidates for the Women MP seat in Zombo, five for Okoro County (including Sam Kumakech, Denis Orera, Gabriel Okumu, Alipanga Benjamin, and Norbert Okello), five for Ora County, and three for the District LCV Chairperson seat.
Onencan condemned the “politics of malice and mudslinging,” urging candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns to foster unity and maintain party integrity.
As the NRM prepares for its primary elections on July 16, 2025, to elect representatives for the 2026 general elections, the political atmosphere in Zombo is increasingly charged.
The Misinformation and disinformation pose significant risks in this context, threatening to erode public trust, polarize voters, and destabilize the democratic process.
Such tactics, often amplified through social media and informal networks, can manipulate voter perceptions, discredit legitimate candidates, and escalate intra-party tensions.
Zombo’s Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Festus Ayikobua, previously warned against these tactics, highlighting their potential to tarnish reputations and disrupt the electoral cycle during this critical period.
Efforts to reach Zombo NRM administrator Oliver Freeman for comment were unsuccessful, as he was unavailable via his known contact.
In Zombo, where the NRM seeks to consolidate support ahead of its primaries, these risks are particularly acute.
The Alur King, His Majesty Ubimu Philliph Rauni Ularker III, recently emphasized the need for transparency, urging politicians to present clear manifestos during a June 20, 2025, thanksgiving ceremony for Dr. Amos Nyathirombu.
His call underscores the importance of countering misinformation with factual, policy-driven campaigns.