The Electoral Commission has cleared independent candidate Vincent Tumwesige to contest for Masindi Municipality Member of Parliament, bringing the total number of candidates in the 2026 race to five.
Tumwesige had earlier been rejected by Masindi Returning Officer Gastavas Kakaire, who cited a petition alleging that the former Masindi District engineer was a convict.
Tumwesige was previously convicted of abuse of office but received a presidential pardon in 2023.
Following the rejection, Tumwesige petitioned the Electoral Commission in Kampala. After reviewing his case, the Commission directed the Masindi returning officer to nominate him on Monday evening.
Kakaire confirmed the directive but declined to disclose details of the initial rejection, saying the matter was legal and required consultation.
“It’s not necessary to disclose the reason why he had not been nominated,” Kakaire said. “There were things that were bigger than me. I made consultations and stopped him because his issue was legal. We referred him to the EC tribunal, and I was directed to nominate him, which I did yesterday.”
The final list of candidates now includes FDC incumbent Joab Businge, NRM flag bearer Rogers Byamukama, NUP’s Stephen Wandera, Masindi District Chairman Cosmas Byaruhanga (Independent), and Tumwesige (Independent).
Kakaire has cautioned all candidates to strictly follow electoral guidelines, including avoiding abusive language, refraining from voter bribery, and adhering to the EC roadmap.
“I want to ask these candidates to follow EC guidelines to the letter. If not, it can affect their candidature. No abuse, be where you are supposed to be, avoid voter bribery,” he said.
Following his clearance, Tumwesige spent Tuesday moving around Masindi Municipality, rallying supporters and alleging that unnamed individuals had tried to block his nomination.
“We are here for the betterment of Masindi. There are people who were behind all this, but it’s good we have been cleared. I appeal to the young population, and I understand the problems of our people,” he said.
With the fifth candidate now confirmed, the returning officer has summoned all contenders to harmonise the campaign roadmap ahead of the 2026 elections.