The battle over the Makindye Division mayoral seat is shifting to the courts after 11 disqualified candidates vowed to challenge the Electoral Commission (EC) decision that left the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s Yasin Omari unopposed, with barely days to the polls.
Several of the affected aspirants told reporters on Tuesday that they were consulting lawyers to explore legal options, including filing an election petition and seeking judicial review of the EC tribunal ruling that knocked them out of the race.
Some even stormed the EC headquarters with their supporters, carrying placards, demanding the release of a copy of the ruling that would enable them to appeal before the High Court for redress.
‘We are not going to let this matter end here,’ said former candidate Haruna Ssebaggala.
‘We complied with the requirements, we were nominated, we campaigned, and now we are being told we never qualified. That is unacceptable.’
The EC tribunal, chaired by Justice Simon Byabakama, ruled that the candidates failed to submit the legally required minimum of 20 valid supporter signatures from at least 20 of Makindye Division’s 25 parishes. The ruling followed a petition filed by Mr Omari challenging the authenticity and origin of the signatures.
The decision effectively handed the mayoral seat to the NRM without a vote, sparking accusations that the EC had undermined competitive politics in one of Kampala’s traditionally Opposition-leaning divisions.
Mr Joel Jjuko Nakibinge, another disqualified aspirant, said: ‘The EC claims some of my supporters came from districts I have never visited…If such basic verification can be mishandled, then the integrity of the entire electoral process is at risk.’
The developments come at a sensitive time for the Opposition in Makindye Division, currently led by NUP’s Ali Nganda Mulyanyama, who is contesting for the Makindye East parliamentary seat.
In contrast, Mr Omari defended the EC ruling, insisting the process was lawful and transparent. ‘Some candidates submitted signatures from outside Makindye,’ he said.
EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi said the Commission acted within the law and dismissed claims of bias. Legal experts said while the aggrieved candidates are free to seek redress in court, overturning the decision may be difficult given the strict timelines governing electoral disputes.
Senior lawyer Wandera Ogalo noted that nomination requirements are clear and unforgiving.
‘Courts rarely interfere where the law has been plainly breached,’ Mr Ogalo said. ‘If signatures were invalid or sourced outside the division, the EC acted correctly.’ However, political analysts warn that the Makindye episode could further erode public trust in the electoral process, especially in urban areas where opposition support is strong.
‘This feeds into a wider narrative of managed elections,’ said media scholar Isaac Akugizibwe.
‘Even when the law is followed, perception matters, and this decision reinforces Opposition’s claims of a tilted playing field.’