KAMPALA.The Electoral Commission (EC) has dismissed a petition challenging the nomination of Brig. Gen (Rtd) Emmanuel Rwashande as a candidate for the Lwemiyaga County parliamentary seat in the 2026 General Election.
The incumbent MP Theodore Ssekikubo petitioned the EC on November 14, challenging Mr Rwashande’s nomination.
Mr Rwashande is the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer. Mr Ssekikubo rejected three names Mr Rwashande had used for his nomination on October 22. One of the disputed credentials belongs to a female voter in another district.
However, the EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama said the commission upon hearing the complaint, consideration of the submissions made by lawyers of both sides and examination of the EC nominations and Results Management Dashboard used to verify particulars of supporters during nominations, observed that Brig. Gen Rwashande submitted a Diploma in Defense and Strategic studies, awarded by National University of PLA 2007, a Certificate in Company Commanders Course and a Diploma for Senior Army Command Course in Nanjing Army Command College that were equated by National Council for Higher Education.
“The examination of the EC Nominations and Results Management Dashboard revealed that Mpirirwe Jovia, Naziwa Aisah, Tumwebaze Dativa, Nabimanya Geofrey , Nayebale Rosette, Kembudu Jaireth, Nahwera Charity, Ssenjeya Charles, Kangume Stephen, Mugume Enock Mutonto, Nayebare Enid and Tugume John were validated and approved as supporters of Brig. Gen Rwashande Emmanuel’s nomination,” reads part of the December 3, 2025 letter addressed to Mr Ssekikubo and copied to Brig Rwashande and the returning officer of Sembabule Electoral District.
According to Justice Byabakama, the EC further observed that His Worship Richard Wananda deponed an Affidavit confirming that he administered the oath on September 7, 2025, and explained the discrepancies in dates.
“That Naziwa Aisah’s NIN is CF82065101Y03G and a registered voter in Lwemiyaga County, Lwensankala Parish, Kazooba Trading Centre Polling Station,” the letter added.
As a result, EC said Brig. Gen Rwashande submitted the requisite qualifications for his nomination.
“That Brig. Gen Rwashande Emmanuel complied with the requirement of minimum of ten (10) names supporting his nomination, in line with Section 28 of the Parliamentary Elections Act. Cap. 177. That the discrepancies in relation to commissioning the oath authenticating statement were explained in the Affidavit sworn by His Worship Wananda Richard. Accordingly, the Commission, under MIN.COMP/058/2025, upheld the decision of the Returning Officer nominating Brig. Gen. Rwashande,” Justice Byabakama ruled putting an end to the months’ long prevoting battle between the two camps.