Bakosoro wins SPLM primaries amid gunfire in Tambura

Former Minister of Presidential Affairs, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, has won the SPLM primary elections for the Tambura parliamentary seat in Western Equatoria State, in a vote disrupted by gunfire.

Bakosoro was elected the party’s flagbearer for Geographical Constituency No. 8, covering Tambura and Nagero counties, ahead of the general elections scheduled for December 2026.

Tambura County Commissioner James Mopaya said gunshots were heard about one mile from Freedom Square, where the primaries were being held, forcing some delegates to flee.

He said the shooting started as candidates were taking their seats for delegates to stand behind them during the voting process.

“The primaries did not go on well, because security-wise, you can think this thing was planned, because just at the moment when the candidates were told to go and sit on the chairs so that their voters come and stand behind them, immediately, as they were going, immediately the gunshots started, as if it was a kind of coordinated programme,” he said.

Mopaya said 71 out of 350 registered delegates from Tambura and Nagero counties fled the venue, while the remaining voters continued with the exercise.

“So, it made 71 voters out of the 350 voters from the two countries of Tambura and Nagero to run. So, the 71 voters did not vote, and the rest voted. And the result came out with Joseph Bakosoro being the winner, with a vote of 143, followed by General Rapheal Zamoai, who had 125 votes. The third person is Luca Beru, who had 11 votes. And the fourth person did not have a vote, had zero votes,” he said.

According to Mopaya, Bakosoro secured 143 votes, followed by General Rapheal Zamoai with 125 votes and Luka Beru with 11 votes. The fourth candidate received no votes.

However, the commissioner questioned the credibility of the primaries, citing incomplete delegate selection in some areas and complaints from residents of Source Yaubo Payam over the selection of their representatives.

He said he had advised the SPLM leadership to consider repeating the exercise, but the final decision rests with the party leadership.

Reacting to his victory, Bakosoro wrote in a statement posted online: “Tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today.”

Bakosoro previously served as Minister of Public Service and Minister of Presidential Affairs. He was elected Governor of Western Equatoria State in 2010.