KarumaPost Exclusive Interview: Major (Rtd) Emmy Johnson Opio Speaks Out on NRM Primaries, Fraud Allegations, and the Future of the Party
KarumaPost sat down with Major (Rtd) Emmy Johnson Opio on Tuesday to discuss his petition against the recently concluded NRM primaries in Erute North. In a candid and direct conversation, he raised serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the future of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
KarumaPost: Major Opio, you’ve officially petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission. What motivated that move?
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: The way the Electoral Commission handled the primaries has left NRM far weaker than it was before the elections. It was deeply flawed. This isn’t just about me—it’s about the future of the party.
KarumaPost: That’s a strong statement. Can you explain further?
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, a true revolutionary, is unfortunately surrounded by non-patriots. These individuals are doing everything in their power to protect their own interests and maintain a ring of influence. That’s making NRM increasingly vulnerable in the years to come.
KarumaPost: You’ve also raised concerns about the composition of the Electoral Commission itself. What’s the issue there?
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: If senior patriots—especially those who went through the barrels of guns were in the composition of the NRM Electoral Commission, I believe the mess we saw during these elections could have been minimized.
KarumaPost: Can you point to specific irregularities in the Erute North primary?
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: Absolutely. First, voter turnout was dismally low—less than 10,000—largely due to rain and widespread lack of interest. Official numbers claim no more than 22,000, which is clearly not right.
Second, the NRM registrars at the sub-county and village levels used photocopied declaration forms rather than the official originals. That was a deliberate act to falsify results.
KarumaPost: Do you have evidence to support those allegations?
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: Yes. I have evidence on camera showing four of the five NRM registrars from Agweng Town Council, Ogur Sub-county, Ayami Sub-county, and Aromo Sub-county receiving large sums of money somewhere in Agweng town council on election eve in exchange for altering results.
KarumaPost: If the petition leads to the nullification of the results, will you still participate in the rerun?
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: at this point am not so sure but I will consult with my team before making a decision.
KarumaPost:will you really stand in 2026 ?
Maj.(Rtd)Opio: one thing I can confirm is that I will contest in the general election as a member of parliament for erute north
KarumaPost:why?
Maj.(Rtd) Opio:The people of Erute North deserve a leader who can fight household poverty and bring real, accountable leadership and which have already started through free distributing cocoa and coffee seedlings which will last for three years starting this year
KarumaPost: Finally, what’s your message to the people of Erute North and the wider NRM fraternity?
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: We must return to our roots—patriotism, discipline, and service. If we allow corruption and manipulation to take over, we lose everything. I’m standing up not just for myself, but for every Ugandan who believes in fair play and justice.
KarumaPost: Thank you for speaking with us.
Maj. (Rtd) Opio: Thank you for the interview
