The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified a National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate from the race for Njumaga Cell chairperson in Masaka City after finding that he was still serving as a public officer at the time of his nomination.
The commission cancelled the nomination of Augustine Mukasa Luswata, who had been cleared to contest for the Njumaga Cell chairperson seat in Katwadde Ward, after determining that he remains an employee of the Uganda Prisons Service stationed at Masaka Main Prison.
In a letter issued by Masaka City Returning Officer Joloba Hydary, the EC said Luswata’s nomination had been made in error because the law bars serving public officers from contesting elective political positions unless they first resign from public service.
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“As a public officer, the law does not allow you to hold two public offices at the same time,” the cancellation letter states.
The decision followed a petition lodged by the incumbent chairperson, Pellegrino Bikanyulo, who is seeking another term under the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Following Luswata’s disqualification, Bikanyulo remains the only candidate in the race.
Luswata declined to comment on the Electoral Commission’s decision.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is also considering another election-related petition involving the village chairperson race in Mutuba-Musisi Gardens Cell, Katwe Ward.
NUP candidate Mathias Bwanika has asked the commission to disqualify his NRM opponent, Deogratias Mulindwa, arguing that Mulindwa is already serving as the Older Persons’ Councillor on the Nyendo-Mukungwe Division Council and is therefore not eligible to contest another elected office.
In his petition, Bwanika cites Section 29 of the Local Governments Act, saying the law prohibits an individual from holding two political offices simultaneously. He also submitted a copy of Mulindwa’s oath of allegiance, sworn before the Masaka Chief Magistrate on 19 May 2026, as evidence.
“I therefore request that he be disqualified since he was sworn in on 19th May 2026, as the attached oath of allegiance witnessed by the Masaka Chief Magistrate,” the petition states.
Mulindwa rejected the claims, saying he decided to contest after residents urged him to run for the village chairperson position despite his current role as a division councillor.
He said he was unaware of any legal provision preventing him from seeking the seat and believes he can serve in both positions.
Masaka City Returning Officer Joloba Hydary confirmed receiving the petition and said the Electoral Commission would review the matter before reaching a decision by the end of the week.
The Electoral Commission said the upcoming women and village council elections, scheduled for July 23 and July 28, attracted 950 candidates for women’s council positions and 588 candidates for village chairperson seats.
The commission also announced that 477 candidates for women’s council positions were elected unopposed, while seven candidates for Local Council I chairperson positions across Masaka City’s 201 cells also secured victory without opposition.
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