Kampala, Uganda – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has unveiled its cause list for the first batch of petitions stemming from the party’s recent parliamentary primary elections.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A total of 56 cases out of 381 formal complaints lodged by aggrieved party members following the July 17 NRM primaries are scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, before eight panels at the Tribunal offices in Nakasero, Kampala.
John Musiime, a city lawyer and Chairperson of the Tribunal, stated that this marks the beginning of formal adjudication of disputes concerning the selection of parliamentary flag bearers.
In a notice issued on Sunday, Musiime confirmed that petitioners had been instructed to serve their respondents with copies of the petitions.
The cause list serves as an additional notification to respondents who have not yet received their petitions, advising them to obtain copies from the Tribunal Registry at Plot 30, Kyadondo Road, Nakasero.
The Tribunal emphasized that failure to respond will not delay proceedings or decisions, signaling its commitment to resolving disputes efficiently.
Among the 56 petitions set for Tuesday’s hearings are several high-profile disputes:
– Oscar Nkotanyi vs. Bruce Balaba (Rubanda West Constituency)
– George Stephen Kagaba vs. Alex Ruhunda (Fort Portal City Central Division)
– Lunyoro Aisha Sylvia vs. Mukhaye Miriam Massa Wangisi (Mbale District)
– Emorut Okumu John vs. incumbent John Mulimba (Samia Bugwe North, Busia District)
– Alex Niyonsaba vs. Sam Bitangaro (Bufumbiro South, Kisoro District)
– Mukesh Shuklah Babubhai vs. Herbert Anderson Burora (Nakawa West)
– Patricia Magara vs. Kalume Ababubaker (Katikamu South, Luwero District)
– Rose Nalongo Kirabira vs. Beth Nankunda Kayesu (Wakiso District)
– Rachael Magoola vs. Aminah Mutesi Nalugoda (Bugweri District)
– Beatrice Rwakimari vs. Nkwasibwe Henry Zinkuratire (Ntungamo)
A notable joint petition involves Nebanda Florence and Agatha Sarah Muloki challenging Logose Sarah Annet in Butaleja District, while Sylvia Rwabwogo contests Linda Irene, the Fort Portal City Woman MP.
Other disputes span constituencies in Apac Municipality, Napak, Oyam North, Agago West, and Ngora, with many petitioners being incumbent MPs who lost in the primaries.
Last Friday, Musiime, alongside Enoch Barata, NRM Director of Legal Affairs, assured journalists in Kampala that the Tribunal would handle all cases fairly and expeditiously, with a pledge to deliver all decisions by September 1, 2025.
To manage logistics, each party has been advised to limit attendance to no more than five persons due to space and parking constraints at the hearing venue.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, NRM Party Chairman, appointed Lawyer Musiime and 28 other lawyers on July 17 to oversee the hearing of election complaints.
The decision followed concerns that Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission who organized the primaries could not fairly adjudicate disputes arising from the same elections.
The Tribunal faces a daunting task, as many cases involve well-connected and wealthy candidates perceived as ‘untouchable,’ with some aspirants reportedly spending billions of shillings in the primaries, further raising the stakes in the disputes.
With 56 cases set for Tuesday and an equal number to be heard daily thereafter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Tribunal’s ability to maintain transparency and fairness will be closely scrutinized.
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