SEMBABULE. The incumbent Sembabule District Chairperson ,Mr Patrick Nkalubo has a reason to celebrate after securing another five year term (2026–2031) without going through an election .
This came after the Mr Quraish Jjumba , the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer failed to meet Electoral Commission requirements, most especially raising the required signatures and paying nomination fees .
Nkalubo,57 was officially declared elected by the District Returning Officer, Gracious Aryaija on Friday .
“National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer Jumba Quraish failed to present the minimum number of seconders and also did not provide proof of payment of the mandatory nomination fees of Shs200,000,” Aryaija said.
“His namesake, Mutebi Quraish, who sought to run as an Independent candidate, equally fell short after failing to secure the 630 valid signatures required from registered voters across the district.”
He said with no other candidate qualifying, “I therefore declare Mr. Patrick Nkalubo and 12 other aspirants for various district positions duly elected unopposed.”
The development means Nkalubo, who has served as the district chairperson(2021 to date) , will now continue steering the leadership of Sembabule until 2031 without undergoing a competitive vote.
Observers say the unopposed victory not only cements Nkalubo’s grip on district leadership but also highlights gaps among opposition candidates in meeting electoral requirements.
Other candidates declared unopposed in Sembabule include Hajj Erias Kasozi , the district speaker (Directly Elected District Councillor for Lwebitakuli Sub-county) Mubeezi Fred (Directly Elected District Councillor for Nakasenyi Sub-county), , Kalema Willy (District Councillor for Senior Citizens), Benon Buyayo, Ashura Nakakande (Woman District Councillor for Lwebitakuli Sub-county), and Kwarakunde Jackline (District Female Youth Councillor), among others.
Nominations for Local Government leadership positions officially closed on Friday at 5:00 p.m., marking the end of the exercise across the country. Tomorrow, Monday , EC will be nominating candidates for municipality positions .