The Uganda electoral commission (EC) has disqualified 11 candidates from the Makindye mayoral race, effectively leaving National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Omari unopposed just days before the general elections.
According to the commission, the affected candidates failed to meet key nomination requirements, including securing the mandatory endorsement of at least 20 registered parish signatories within Makindye Division. Other grounds for disqualification included the use of non-resident supporters, irregular documentation and failure to comply with established electoral guidelines.
The decision followed a formal petition filed by Omari, who challenged the validity if his rival’ nomination papers. After a verification exercise, the EC upheld the petition, ruling that none of the 11 candidates met the legal threshold to remain on the ballot paper.
The ruling clears the way for Omari to assume leadership of one of Kampala’s most politically competitive divisions, long regarded as an opposition stronghold. Makindye division is currently led by Ali Nganda Mulyanyama of the National Unity Platform (NUP)who is not seeking re-election as mayor and is instead contesting for the Makindye East parliamentary seat.
NRM officials have welcomed the development, describing Omari’s unopposed path to the mayorality as a sign of shifting political dynamics in the capital. They say it reflects growing support for the ruling party within Kampala, a city Centre that has traditionally leaned towards opposition politics.
Omari now joins Salimu Uhuru, the incumbent Kampala central division mayor and senior NRM figure, who is widely expected to retain his seat. Kampala’s remaining divisions-Nakawa,Rubaga and kawempe-are currently under NUP leadership.
Meanwhile, EC chairperson justice Simon Byabakama has defended the commission’s actions, saying the disqualification of ineligible candidates will continue until polling day as part of efforts to ensure credible candidates.
In his end -of-year message last week, Justice Byabakama said they commission is fully prepared to conduct the general elections and will not succumb to external pressure or make hurried decisions despite heightened political tensions. He revealed that the election tribunal has handled more than 300 complaints arising from the nomination process, stressing that all rulings are based strictly on evidence presented.
He also dismissed claims by some opposition figures that the commission is targeting their candidates, noting that petitions leading to disqualifications are filed by “vigilant Ugandans” and not iniated by the EC itself.
‘our role is to enforce the law impartially and ensure all candidates meet the legal requirements, ’he said.
As of December 30, at least 12 parliamentary candidates had been disqualified nationwide, with NUP recording the highest number of affected aspirants, according to EC data.
However, the Makindye decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. Reacting to the disqualifications, NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi accused of acting in bad faith.
“as we have said repeatedly, whatever Museveni and Byabakama are looking for, they will definitely get it,” Kyagulanyi said in a statement.
We ‘have just learnt that Byabakama has yet again disqualified our candidate for Makindye Division mayor, Lusagala Bosco, along with other 11 candidates, leaving the NRM candidate unopposed.
Despite the controversies, EC maintains that all disqualifications are lawful and intended to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as the country heads into polls.
