Candidates in the Budiope East parliamentary race have rejected claims that incumbent Hashim Moses Magogo is running unopposed, insisting that the Electoral Commission (EC) has properly nominated five contestants for the 2026 elections.
Magogo, who also serves as President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), is married to Speaker of Parliament and Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among, who was declared unopposed in her constituency.
The officially nominated candidates are Moses Hashim Magogo (NRM), Daniel Mulirire (Independent), Stephen Bangalana (Independent), Peere Rabinson (PFF), and Resty Nsiro (Independent).
However, Magogo could become unopposed if petitions challenging the eligibility of four of his rivals are upheld by the EC Tribunal.
The complaints, filed by voters Humaru Waiswa, Jackson Mandella, Ibrahim Yeeko, and Ayubu Balise, question the nominations of Bangalana, Nsiro, Mulirire, and Peere.
The petition against Bangalana alleges he failed to present the minimum number of nominators required for independent candidates under the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Nsiro is accused of forging 10 signatures, with the purported nominators denying endorsement. She has reportedly not appeared before the Tribunal despite summons.
Daniel Mulirire faces a challenge from Ibrahim Yeeko, who claims Mulirire, a former police officer, did not resign at least six months before nomination, as legally required.
Mulirire dismissed the allegations, saying he resigned 18 months prior and presented proof at nomination, noting that the requirement was not even listed on the nomination forms.
He said he remains loyal to First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, whom he regards as a mentor, and vowed to continue campaigning despite political targeting.
Stephen Bangalana also refuted claims of withdrawal or disqualification. He said the petition filed by Magogo’s team has not yet been heard by the EC and accused the incumbent’s camp of using the unresolved matter as a campaign tactic to sway voters.
Speaking at a press briefing, the candidates criticised what they described as a “dangerous precedent” in which aspirants are cleared by the EC but later challenged in petitions. They called on the Commission to take responsibility for any oversight during the nomination process.
Political analyst Charles Galimaka warned that the EC’s handling of nomination disputes is turning elections into “courtroom dramas,” raising concerns about transparency and the growing monetisation of politics.
He contrasted the current Commission unfavourably with previous leadership under Stephen Besweri Akabway and Engineer Badru Kiggundu.
Magogo’s campaign agent, Ayub Balise, said the incumbent’s camp has no fear of competition, emphasising that the petitions were filed by individual voters and that the EC will now determine their validity.
Magogo secured the NRM flag for Budiope East with 63,758 votes, defeating Geoffrey Dhamuzungu, who received 15,177 votes, and Mulirire, who garnered 2,127 votes.
Dhamuzungu later withdrew from the race following the death of his father during nomination week.
The EC Tribunal, led by Justice Simon Byabakama, is reviewing over 100 nomination disputes ahead of the 2026 elections.
Ten parliamentary candidates, including Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and several special interest group representatives, have already been confirmed unopposed.
