NRM Tribunal Begins Hearing Election Petitions, Including High-Profile Cases Involving Mbabazi and Tanga Odoi's Son
Kampala, Uganda – The NRM Electoral Tribunal, appointed by President Yoweri Museveni, has commenced hearings for petitions filed by members who contested the recently concluded party primaries for positions on the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Among the first to appear before the tribunal were former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi and his wife, Jackline Mbabazi, who is accused of vote theft in the election for the Elderly Representative for the Western Region. The petitioner, Patrick Kyamukate, alleged that Jackline’s victory was marred by irregularities, including ballot stuffing and manipulation of voter registers. He urged the tribunal to nullify her win, claiming it was not free and fair.
In his defense, Amama Mbabazi spoke to journalists on behalf of his wife, asserting that her victory was genuine and reflected the strong support she enjoys among elders in the region. He emphasized that she had served the community diligently and earned their trust.
The tribunal also heard a petition against Collins Tanga, the son of NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi, who won the youth representative seat on the CEC. The petitioner, Brenda Kiconco, along with other contestants Macklin Atukwasa and Pascal Natamba, accused Tanga of benefiting from electoral malpractices, including the disenfranchisement of their supporters and manipulation of voting materials. They called for the cancellation of his victory.
In response, Collins Tanga dismissed the allegations as baseless and motivated by malice, challenging the petitioners to provide concrete evidence.
In other decisions, the tribunal upheld Mahad Kaweesi’s victory as the NRM flag bearer for Lord Mayor of Kampala but disqualified Moses Nsubuga Kizito from the same race over academic document discrepancies. Meanwhile, Mohammad Ssendagire, another aspiring Lord Mayor, expressed dissatisfaction with the tribunal’s conduct, accusing it of bias and vowing to continue his fight for justice.
Female aspirants for Kampala District parliamentary seats, including Shamim Nanfuma and Joweria Namuli, also petitioned the tribunal, challenging Amina Lukanga’s victory. They called for President Museveni’s intervention to ensure a legitimate flag bearer is chosen for Kampala.
Despite the petitions, the NRM Electoral Commission began issuing official flag bearer certificates to declared winners. These certificates are required for registration with the Uganda Independent Electoral Commission (EC) ahead of the general elections.
Some winners, including Judith Nuwabaine Abaho of Makindye East, have already received their certificates and called on their opponents to accept the results and avoid dividing the party by running as independents.
The tribunal continues to hear petitions amid tight security and growing tensions within the party.
