Incumbent Kitagwenda County MP Joseph Nulu Byamukama has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) seeking the disqualification of six parliamentary aspirants, accusing them of irregularities and invalid nominations ahead of the 2026 General Election.
Byamukama filed the petitions through his lawyers at Mujurizi & Tumwesigye Advocates, submitting detailed claims against Agaba Abbas Mugisha, Spencer George William, Arinaitwe Emmanuel, Nsamba Mubarak, and Arinaitwe Africano.
The petitions argue that the aspirants failed to meet mandatory legal and academic requirements for nomination.
The documents allege issues ranging from improper name changes and lack of minimum academic qualifications to failure to resign from public office as required by law.
In petition GEN/25/MJ/1553, the lawyers argue that Agaba Abbas Mugisha was nominated using inconsistent names and documents. The petition states:
“Agaba Abbas Mugisha has attached a National Identity Card in the name Agaba Abbas Mugisa. The nominated candidate using the same National Identity Card is Agaba Abbas Mugisha… on his Ordinary Level Certificate he is Agaba Mugisha Abbas and on his UACE he is Agaba Abbas Mugisha.”
The petition further notes:
“The person who paid [the nomination fees] is Agaba Abbas Mugisa… this variation in the names means that one Agaba Abbas Mugisa who paid nomination fees is NOT Agaba Abbas Mugisha, the nominated candidate.”
The lawyers add that the candidate “did not present a deed poll… the attached statutory declaration cannot effect change in names,” and allege that he misstated his age:
“The National Identity Card shows he was born on 13th January 1979… On the nomination papers, the candidate indicated he is forty-five years.”
Another petition claims Spencer George William used outdated verification documents and failed to legally change his name:
“He actually presented a verification of the last election of 2020/2021… which is invalid for purposes of this election.”
Regarding his identity, the petition notes:
“He presented a gazette but did not present a deed poll registered with Uganda Registration Service Bureau… Spencer George is different from Spencer George William.”
The lawyers also argue that his oath form lacks proof of proper commissioning:
“There is no evidence of taking oaths… the oaths form does not bear any stamp.”
Two aspirants, Arinaitwe Emmanuel and Nsamba Mubarak, are accused of lacking verified academic documents. For Arinaitwe Emmanuel, the petition reads:
“He did not present Ordinary Certificate of Education and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education… the verification attached is addressed to schools and not to the Electoral Commission.”
For Nsamba Mubarak, the lawyers argue:
“The UACE presented… is not verified by Uganda National Examinations Board… the candidate did not present his O'Level certificate.”
Both petitions further claim the two aspirants’ oaths were not properly commissioned.
The most serious allegation is against Arinaitwe Africano, accused of participating in the election without resigning from public service at least 90 days prior, as required under Section 4(4) of the Parliamentary Elections Act:
“Arinaitwe Africano did not resign before he was nominated… he resigned on 21st October 2025 and was nominated on 23rd October 2025.”
The lawyers claim that Kamwenge District confirmed the candidate was still on the government payroll:
“He was still an employee… and had even received the September salary.”
Africano is also accused of lacking the minimum A-Level qualification and presenting no UNEB verification letter.
Each petition concludes with the same request to the EC:
“His nomination… was invalid, the same should be cancelled and he be disqualified from the coming General Elections for Member of Parliament for Kitagwenda Competition.”
The Electoral Commission has not yet issued an official response regarding the petitions.
