The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has overturned Jacqueline Mbabazi’s selection as the party’s candidate for Western Region representative of older persons in parliament, citing widespread irregularities.
Mbabazi, the wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, had initially been declared winner, but the tribunal ruled that her victory was tainted by serious flaws, including inflated vote counts.
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The decision, announced on Thursday by tribunal chairperson John Musiime with members Nelson Kamuhanda and Esau Isingoma, instructed the NRM Electoral Commission to organise a fresh vote within 14 days.
The ruling followed a second petition filed by Patrick Kyamukate Mutabwire, who had previously contested Mbabazi’s win. In an earlier ruling on 5 September 2025, the tribunal admitted there had been errors – including 46 votes wrongly added to Mbabazi’s tally – but maintained that she still led by seven votes.
Unsatisfied, Mutabwire returned with what he described as new and decisive evidence. His fresh submission included a certified voters’ register, additional affidavits and video recordings pointing to vote manipulation.
The register showed significant discrepancies: 28 names appeared multiple times, five voters were unlawfully substituted, and three deceased individuals were marked as having cast ballots. Although only 364 people were eligible to vote, 430 ballots were recorded – an excess of 66.
The tribunal accepted the new evidence, noting that it had not been accessible during the first hearing. Neither Mbabazi nor NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi responded to the application or submitted counter-evidence.
In its judgment, the panel said the irregularities undermined both the accuracy and credibility of the process. “Once there is over-voting on this scale, it becomes impossible to ascertain the true will of the electorate,” it stated.
Mutabwire urged the tribunal to declare him the winner, claiming that deducting the disputed ballots placed him ahead by 29 votes. However, the panel declined, saying it could not determine how the illegal votes were distributed and that declaring a winner without certainty would amount to speculation.
The tribunal instead annulled the poll and ordered a re-run under strict adherence to the party’s rules and the Constitution.
This is the second high-profile nullification to emerge from the NRM’s August 2025 Central Executive Committee elections. Earlier this month, the tribunal also invalidated the victory of Collins Tanga, son of Dr Odoi, as chairperson of the NRM Youth League. That poll was repeated, with Tanga reclaiming the seat in the re-run.
The fresh election for the Western Region Older Persons MP flag bearer is now expected within the next two weeks.
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