KAMPALA
The Electoral Commission has thrown out a challenge filed by parliamentary aspirant Ivan Bwowe that sought to disqualify Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and six other candidates from contesting the Nakawa West seat in the 2026 elections.
Bwowe had petitioned the EC to cancel the nominations of the seven candidates and declare him the only validly nominated contestant, arguing that they were cleared for a “non-existent” constituency named Nakawa West instead of the official Nakawa Division West.
In its ruling issued this week, the Electoral Commission, chaired by Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, found no merit in the complaint and dismissed it entirely.“The Commission has resolved under MIN. COMP 042/2025 that the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed. The nominations conducted by the Kampala Returning Officer are upheld,” the EC stated, adding that all affected parties have been officially informed.The seven candidates targeted in the petition are:
Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi (incumbent MP and LoP, NUP)
Happy Nasasira
Herbert Anderson Burora
Felix Ephraim Okuye
Vincent Norbert Okumu
Wilberforce Kyambadde
Rwamiti Apuuli
Reacting to the decision, LoP Joel Ssenyonyi welcomed the ruling, saying: “Another attempt to use technicalities to block the people’s choice has failed. We now focus on the real campaign ahead.”With the petition dismissed, the eight candidates, including petitioner Ivan Bwowe, will face off in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested Nakawa West parliamentary race in 2026.