Namuganza Handed Lifeline by NRM Tribunal

The NRM Election Disputes Tribunal has ordered a repeat of elections in parts of Bukono Constituency, Namutumba District, following a successful petition by the incumbent MP and State Minister for Housing, Princess Persis Namuganza.

The Tribunal, chaired by lawyer John Musiime, ruled that fresh elections must be conducted in Kibaale Sub-County and Kibaale Town Council within 21 days. 

This follows findings of irregularities during the party primaries held on July 17, 2025, to choose the NRM flag bearer for Member of Parliament in Bukono. According to official results released on July 21, Maganda Emmanuel Katooko had garnered 32,226 votes against Namuganza’s 17,324. However, Namuganza rejected the outcome, citing fraud, forgery, and procedural irregularities. 

She argued that tallying was halted when chaos erupted after Woman MP results were announced at the Namutumba tally centre. Through her lawyer Norman Pande, Namuganza claimed declaration forms were fraudulently filled, particularly in Kibaale Sub-County and Kibaale Town Council, where she insists no voting took place. She also alleged her agents were chased away and denied access to declaration forms and tally sheets. 

Maganda, through his lawyer John Isabirye, defended the results, insisting voting took place and tallying was properly done. He produced declaration forms signed by presiding officers and party agents, some of whom represented Namuganza. He also dismissed claims of possessing electoral materials illegally. In its ruling, however, the Tribunal found that although voting indeed took place in Kibaale, the tallying process was deeply flawed.

“On voting in Kibaale, the Tribunal finds the Respondent’s version more credible. He produced 63 DR Forms… None of the Petitioner’s agents has disowned these forms before the Tribunal. The Tribunal therefore finds that voting did take place in Kibaale,” reads the ruling. 

The Tribunal confirmed that tallying was aborted after chaos at the Namutumba tally centre and that materials were later transferred to the NRM Secretariat in Kampala under police escort. It faulted the declaration of results at Namutumba, noting it was inconsistent with NRM regulations since tallying never lawfully took place there. 

Consequently, the Tribunal nullified Maganda’s declaration as flag bearer but stopped short of declaring Namuganza winner. Instead, it ordered a fresh election in the two disputed areas, with the final flag bearer declaration to depend on the outcome. 

The ruling was signed by tribunal members Joseph Ogwang, Tendo Lubwama, and panel head John Musiime. Speaking after the ruling, Namuganza welcomed the decision, praising the Tribunal, her supporters, and President Yoweri Museveni. She criticized NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, accusing him of mishandling the primaries.

She also demanded the prosecution of Namutumba District Registrar Richard Mwanja, who was arrested over irregularities, including announcing different winners for the same positions. The Bukono case is among 31 petitions determined in the Tribunal’s ninth batch of rulings delivered early Wednesday.