Former Equal Opportunities Commission Secretary Barred from NRM Primaries

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Electoral Commission has disqualified Lawrence Mujuni Mpitsi, the former Secretary of the Equal Opportunities Commission, from contesting in the party’s internal elections for parliamentary candidates. 

Mujuni Mpitsi was disqualified by the Commission led by Dr. Tanga Odoi from vying for the Rubabo Constituency flag in Rukungiri District because he is a convict.

The laws governing parliamentary elections bar anyone convicted of dishonesty or moral turpitude within seven years preceding the election from contesting for public or political office. Records indicate that Mujuni was, on February 21, 2022, convicted of conspiracy to defraud the Commission/government. 

He was sentenced to a fine of 50 currency points (equivalent to one million shillings), with a default sentence of one year imprisonment. He opted to pay the fine instead of serving jail time. In addition, he was ordered to refund more than 35 million shillings and was subsequently disqualified under Section 46 of the Anti-Corruption Act from holding any public office for a period of 10 years from the date of conviction. 

Mujuni Mpitsi had earlier been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in 2019 alongside nine other members of the Equal Opportunities Commission. They were charged with 21 counts, including abuse of office, causing financial loss, and embezzlement. 

He was jointly charged with Agnes Enid Kamahoro, Moses Mugabe, Ronnie Kwesiga, Manasseh Kwihangana, Harriet Byangire, Evans Jjemba, Sarah Nassanga, and Olwor Sunday. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Frances Abodo, had also charged the Commission Chairperson, Sylvia Ntambi, although the charges against her were later dropped. 

Each of the other accused persons was separately charged with the theft of funds allocated for sensitization on equity and rights in lower local governments in the Karamoja region. Prosecutors told the Court that the accused had stolen sums ranging from five to 29 million shillings. These funds, accessed by their positions, were reportedly claimed as per diem for editing and drafting the Equal Opportunities Commission’s HIV/AIDS workplace policy, despite none of the officials being entitled to such allowances.

The per diem had reportedly been acquired by Kamahoro and later irregularly approved by Mujuni Mpitsi, then serving as Secretary to the Commission—an act that caused financial loss to the government. 

Before Mujuni Mpitsi’s disqualification, records show that lawyers from Mwesigwa Rukutana and Company Advocates had, on April 17, 2025, petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, drawing attention to Mujuni Mpitsi’s ineligibility to contest in the party primaries.

“We refer to the above-mentioned mailer wherein we act for Rukunda Frank, Rukunde Paul, and Muhumuza Moses on whose instructions we address you as hereunder,” reads the petition. It further stated: “Our clients are registered members of the National Resistance Movement Party from Rubabo Constituency who have instructed us to bring the subject matter to your attention.”

“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform your esteemed office of the said Mujuni Mpitsi’s ineligibility to stand for any office in the upcoming National Resistance Movement Primary Elections,” added the letter. As a result, Mujuni Mpitsi was officially disqualified from participating in the NRM primaries. Mujuni couldn’t be reached for comment by the time of publishing this story.

His lawyer, Jude Byamukama, declined to comment, saying the issue is still premature as they are yet to get the ruling regarding the nomination status of his client.