Politics
NRM Tribunal Upholds Kinyamatama Victory in Contentious Rakai Woman MP Primaries
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elections Dispute Tribunal has upheld the re-election of Juliet Ssuubi Kinyamatama as the party flag bearer for the Rakai District Woman Member of Parliament seat, dismissing a petition that sought to nullify her victory.
The ruling, delivered by tribunal chairperson John Musiime, rejected claims by petitioner Asha Lubyayi Kayanja that the July 17th party primaries were marred by widespread irregularities and violence.
According to the official results announced by Rakai District NRM Election Registrar Robert Ssesanga, Kinyamatama secured 44,556 votes, defeating Lubyayi, who garnered 32,174 votes, while Robina Kamazinga came third with 3,223 votes.
In her petition, Lubyayi accused Kinyamatama of colluding with sub-county election registrars to alter results and deploying gangs to intimidate voters at various polling stations. She further alleged that in several areas, voting never took place, and election officials were either bribed or coerced to fill out declaration forms in favour of the incumbent.
The dispute was further amplified by retired Major General Elli Kayanja, the petitioner’s elder brother, who openly condemned the conduct of the primaries. In a widely circulated video, Gen Kayanja likened the alleged malpractices to the infamous 1980 election rigging that sparked the NRA guerrilla war against Milton Obote’s government.
“We paid a heavy price, risking our lives to bring democracy to Uganda, but what we are witnessing now is not what we fought for,” Gen Kayanja stated. He accused both the party’s Electoral Commission and local security organs of turning a blind eye to electoral malpractice, citing claims of vehicles ferrying gangs that assaulted voters on election day.
Despite these strong allegations, the tribunal ruled that the petitioner failed to provide sufficient evidence to meet the legal threshold for overturning the results.
“Having failed to prove the allegations to the required standard, the petitioner is not entitled to the relief sought. The tribunal finds no sufficient basis to set aside the election or to order a fresh poll,” the decision read in part.
With the ruling, Kinyamatama now retains the NRM flag and will represent the party in the forthcoming general elections. The decision is expected to put an end, at least officially, to weeks of political tension in Rakai, although divisions within the party ranks in the district remain palpable.
Political observers note that the dispute highlights ongoing concerns about transparency in party primaries, an issue the NRM leadership may have to address to maintain unity ahead of the national polls.
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