The Electoral Commission (EC) has been petitioned to recall the nomination of Loydah Twinomujuni Kyarikunda, a contestant for Mbarara District Woman Member of Parliament, over allegations that she presented forged academic documents.
In a petition filed by Kyamanywa and Co. Advocates on behalf of Ms. Maurishia Hope, a rival candidate, the lawyers claim that documents submitted by Kyarikunda to the EC were confirmed as forged by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
According to a letter dated 6 November 2025, signed by NCHE Executive Director Prof. Mary Okwakol, the council dismissed a document attributed to NCHE and presented by Kyarikunda as a fake.
“Please note that the letter dated 12th October 2021 you submitted attributing it to the National Council for Higher Education is a forgery. Tendering a false or forged document is a crime under Ugandan law,” Prof. Okwakol stated in the NCHE communication addressed to the lawyers.
The petitioners argue that Kyarikunda’s nomination contravenes Article 80(1)(c) of the Constitution, Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, and other relevant provisions requiring candidates for Parliament to possess a minimum qualification of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent.
Kyamanywa & Co. Advocates, in their letter to EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, requested that the Commission nullify Kyarikunda’s nomination and bar her from contesting in the 2026–2031 general elections for the Mbarara Woman MP seat.
“Having confirmed that Mrs. Twinomujuni Kyarikunda Loydah does not possess a valid certificate from the National Council for Higher Education, the Commission should recall and nullify her nomination,” the petition reads in part.
Ms. Hope’s lawyers also sought an extension of time to enable the EC to consider their petition, noting that they only confirmed the alleged forgery after receiving responses from the relevant institutions.
As of press time, the Electoral Commission had not issued an official response to the petition.
If upheld, the case could see Kyarikunda disqualified from the parliamentary race and potentially face criminal investigation over the alleged forgery.