KAMPALA.The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Tribunal has upheld the victory of Jacqueline Mbabazi , wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi as the party cardholder for member of parliament seat for Older Persons in Western Uganda .
Patrick Kyamukate Mutabwire has petitioned the tribunal claiming that the election that took place on August 26 at Kololo Independence Grounds was marred by irregularities, including the addition of fictitious votes .
Mutabwire had also accused the party electoral commission chairperson Tanga Odio of manipulating the tallying in favour of Ms Mbabazi .
Other contenders in the race included David Kabigumira ,Mary Bashongoka Kamaduuka , Fidelis Guma Gumusiriza , Ann Muhindo Kabazimbaga ,Lawrence Bategeka Ntooto .
In its ruling the tribunal said: “ The petitioner’s petition is dismissed , the 1st respondent’s declaration as NRM flag bearer for member of parliament representing older persons for Western Uganda is upheld ,”
“Before taking leave of this matter, the tribunal considers it prudent to offer guidance that in future , stakeholders in electoral management should clearly stipulate the timeframe within which elections for older persons ought to be conducted ,and where that timeframe cannot reasonably be met, the process should be deferred to the following day, Such guidance would promote transparency and fairness while minimising disputes arising from elections held at unduly late hours ,” the tribunal added
After getting wind of the tribunal ruling, Mr Mbabazi went to his X handle and praised all those who backed his wife’s candidature.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in and respected the NRM party primaries . The party election dispute tribunal has no delivered its verdict, dismissing the petition and upholding Jacqueline’s victory as the party flag bearer for the MP seat for Older Persons (Western Uganda) ,” he wrote
“ The process has been an important in-house clean-up ,and I commend all parties for allowing it to run its course ,” he added
The recent NRM primaries right from village level were marred by chaos and in some districts lives were lost as members jostled to take up leadership positions at various levels . Apart from party chairperson President Museveni and his deputy Al Hajj Moses Kigongo , others were subjected to vote and where elections failed like choosing the new head of party entrepreneur league , contenders went for consensus and Al Hassan Basajjabalaba retained his position .