By URN
The NRM Election Disputes Tribunal, chaired by Counsel John Musiime, has nullified the victories of four Parliamentary flag bearers after finding that their elections were marred by multiple irregularities. Idi Isabirye, the incumbent MP for Bunya South County, has lost his victory. Saleh Mpaata has now been declared the duly elected NRM flag bearer following petitions filed by Mpaata and Frank Tibagendeka, who accused Isabirye of election malpractice.
Flavia Anita Omondi, elected Bugabula North County flag bearer in Kamuli District, has also lost her victory following three consolidated petitions by rivals John Teira, George Mulindwa, and Annet Namwase. The Tribunal declared John Teira, who secured the highest votes after a thorough tally, as the legitimate flag bearer. Monica Namukose, elected Jinja District Woman MP, had her win quashed. Peace Tibyaze, who actually polled more votes, has been declared the rightful NRM flag bearer.
In Buzaaya County, Kintu Paul Bamusibule, initially declared winner, lost to Mugabe Martin Muzaale after the Tribunal’s own computation of votes. On the Bunya South case, a panel led by Lawyer Anthony Bazira found that, after re-computation, Saleh Mpaata received 16,115 votes, Idi Isabirye 10,959 votes, and Frank Tibagendeka 8,165 votes. The Tribunal concluded that irregularities during the final tally substantially affected the results.
For Jinja Woman MP, the Tribunal found that Monica Namukose had 20,511 votes while Peace Tibyaze actually had 28,145 votes. Panel head Lawyer Paul Rutisya confirmed that the irregularities materially affected the outcome, warranting the nullification of Namukose’s victory.
In Bugabula North, discrepancies in Declaration of Results (DR) Forms were noted, including inconsistent figures and identical signatures from different presiding officers. The Tribunal found that Namukose had gained an unfair advantage of 1,200 votes due to falsification. In Buzaaya County, although the Tribunal acknowledged past election-related violence and the death of a campaign agent, it did not attribute blame to any party. Its tally showed Mugabe Martin Muzaale with 18,332 votes, Isaac Isanga Musumba 11,918 votes, Daniel Balibonaki 8,878 votes, and Kintu Paul Bamusibule 3,004 votes, confirming Muzaale as the legitimate winner.
The Tribunal rulings, confirmed by Chairperson John Musiime, take immediate effect. Orders have been sent to the Dr. Tanga Odoi-led NRM Electoral Commission for implementation. Other lawyers involved in different panels included Tony Tumukunde, Anthony Bazira, Paul Rutisya, Diana Kasabiti, Hillary Kabiswa, Ampaire Tumwebaze, Isaac Okurut, Joseph Lobalang, and Begumya Rushongoza.
