Africa-Press – Uganda. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) tribunal, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, has dismissed an electoral petition filed by Ramathan Akankwasa Mwesige, who challenged the results of the party’s Mubende Municipality primary.
Akankwasa had alleged irregularities, including voter suppression, bribery, alteration of declaration forms, and election-day violence.
Akankwasa claimed that supporters of Massembe created a chaotic environment in areas including Kyeguluuso, Kasaana A, Kasaana B, Katabalaanga, and Namagogo, preventing some of his voters from casting ballots.
He also cited the absence of voting at Katabalaanga B polling station.
The tribunal, however, upheld Massembe’s victory, noting that he provided a declaration form signed by the presiding officer and one of the contesting agents.
In its ruling, the tribunal stated:
“The petition is hereby dismissed. The declaration of Massembe Deo Mujabi as the duly elected flag bearer of Mubende Municipality is upheld.”
Massembe expressed gratitude for the ruling, affirming that the elections were free and fair.
“I want to thank the tribunal for the ruling because we have been telling people that there were no irregularities during elections,” he said.
Massembe also urged his challenger to unite behind him ahead of the general elections.
“I now call upon my brother Akankwasa to give his support so that NRM defeats all other political parties in the general elections and retains its support in Mubende District,” he added.
Despite the ruling, Akankwasa rejected the decision, citing irregularities and alleging that the NRM elections officer for Mubende District denied him access to the tally sheet.
“Our elections officer refused to share the tally with me, and I went to the tribunal without it. He only shared it via WhatsApp after I had left,” he said.
He also pointed to missing results for Busaale Ward, one of his strongholds, claiming that the tally sheet showed zero votes from the four villages there.
Akankwasa has threatened to contest the 2026 general elections as an independent candidate.
“I will contest as an independent to give my voters a chance to exercise their rights, because the tally sheet shows alteration of results where I was given fewer votes in many villages despite strong support,” he said.
The primary results declared Massembe the winner with 5,512 votes, followed by Akankwasa with 3,022 votes, Anthony Ssemuli with 1,688 votes, and Musa Kabogozza with 160 votes.
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