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By Mike Rwothomio
ZOMBO A clandestine audio recording of a private discussion among members of the Paidha business community has ignited a political controversy in Zombo District, raising concerns about privacy violations and the integrity of the democratic process as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) gears up for its primaries on July 17, 2025.
The 10-minute audio recording surfaced on social media, capturing a private discussion among some Paidha business community members at Babylon Guest House, owned by prominent businessman Albert Okwong.
The recordings orchestrated by some unnamed individuals , circulated on social media, underscoring the legal and ethical ramifications of secret recordings in Uganda’s politically charged environment.
The recording revealed candid conversations about logistical challenges, voter demands, and strategies to support Topista Acamfua’s candidacy for Woman MP in the Zombo’s NRM primaries.
The discussion, laced with humor, involved approximately four individuals addressing how to overcome opponents in the upcoming polls.
At a press conference at Babylon Guest House on July 3, 2025, Michael Ovoya, Vice Chairperson of the Paidha business community, condemned the recording as an unlawful breach of privacy, asserting their legal right to support Acamfua.
“We were discussing strategies to ensure our candidate, Topista Acamfua, wins. No law prohibits this, and we will support her without fear, given her proven capability,” Ovoya told journalists.
He added, “The individual who recorded us without consent could face legal action, but we choose to forgive, as they may not fully understand their actions.”
Albert Okwong, the business community’s treasurer, echoed this resolve: “This recording will not deter me from supporting Topista. We will stand by her, win or lose.” The incident has heightened tensions within the NRM camp, with the primaries looming and intra-party rivalries intensifying.
The data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, governs the collection, processing, and dissemination of personal data, including audio recordings. Section 3 mandates that personal data, such as voice recordings, must be collected with explicit consent or under lawful justification.
Additionally, under the Computer Misuse Act, 2011: Section 17 prohibits the unauthorized interception of communications, including audio recordings. Offenders face fines, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both, particularly if the act is committed with malicious intent.
Despite this robust framework, enforcement remains inconsistent, with legal recourse often hindered by limited public awareness and judicial inefficiencies.
The Paidha business community’s case exemplifies how such violations can escalate political tensions, with victims like Michael Ovoya instead choosing forgiveness to de-escalate the situation.
In a recent Council sitting, Zombo’s Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua cautioned against ” circulation of unverified content on social media” which he noted amplifies misinformation.
The NRM primaries for Zombo’s Woman MP seat are fiercely contested, with nine duly nominated female candidates: Topista Acamfua, Gloria Oroma, Nega Elizabeth, Tasha Giramia Peace, Grace Monukuma, Jane Evelyne Othora, Fiona Giramia, Jackeline Alanyu, and the incumbent.
This robust female participation reflects Uganda’s affirmative action policies, including reserved parliamentary seats for women under the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005, which have boosted women’s representation to 33.8% of parliamentary seats as of 2021.
Topista Acamfua, commonly Known as the “welfare officer,” has galvanized support from the Paidha business community, highlighting her ability to mobilize resources and community backing. However, the leaked recording underscores the vulnerabilities candidates face, including public scrutiny and potential sabotage through misinformation.
The active participation of nine women in the NRM primaries signals advancement, but incidents like the secret recording underscore the need for stronger protections against privacy violations and misinformation to ensure a level playing field.
The NRM primaries, scheduled for July 19, 2025, are a critical precursor to the 2026 general elections.
Some stakeholders argue that, As Zombo braces for the NRM primaries, leaders including security must prioritize combating misinformation and upholding democratic principles to ensure a fair and equitable electoral process.
