President Museveni established a special legal committee to investigate election-related grievances within four months.
In a move to streamline the resolution of election-related grievances, President Yoweri Museveni has established a special legal committee tasked with investigating petitions filed by candidates alleging electoral malpractice. The committee, which will commence hearings within the next four months, aims to address complaints from both parliamentary and local government races.
Enock Barata, head of the NRM legal team, emphasised the committee's urgent priority to first resolve disputes involving government chief administrative officers before addressing other electoral petitions. "All cases must be concluded within one month of filing," Barata stated, clarifying that the committee's decisions will be final, with no further appeals to the President permitted.
Several high-profile petitions are under review, including challenges to Amina Lukanga’s victory, Abdul Kiyimba’s win, and allegations against Henry Tumukunde.
The committee's formation comes amid growing tensions over Central Executive Committee (CEC) positions. Hakim Kyeswa, a candidate for NRM Vice Chair in Buganda, argued at a recent Kyadondo press conference that the President should prioritise vetting current CEC members over electoral petitions.
Kyeswa proposed aligning CEC elections with parliamentary and local councillor elections at Namboole Stadium, ensuring transparency through direct voting by elected NRM leaders. His comments reflect broader concerns about internal party democracy, particularly regarding members who have skipped CEC meetings since their controversial victories.
The President’s intervention aims to expedite election dispute resolution, strengthen party discipline, and address discontent over NRM election processes.
Political analysts suggest the committee's effectiveness will depend on its perceived independence and ability to deliver timely, impartial decisions on sensitive cases involving senior party members.
