By The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Kyarimpa Resty Sarah from contesting for the position of Isingiro District Woman Member of Parliament in the 2025 parliamentary elections, citing failure to meet statutory nomination requirements.
In a decision dated December 23, 2025, and signed by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Commission overturned the earlier decision of the Isingiro District Returning Officer that had cleared Kyarimpa’s nomination. The EC consequently ruled that she is not eligible to contest for the elective office.
Latest
Catholic Priest Fr. Ssekabira Remanded Until Jan 21
Gov’t Releases Shs4.3bn for Kiteezi Compensation
Police Probe Death of 11-Year-Old Girl Found in Taxi at Old Taxi Park
UNEB Warns Schools Against Fraudsters Posing as Security Committee Members
IGP Byakagaba Assures Security as Festive Season Coincides with Election Period
Luuka District Engineers Charged Over Fuel Theft, Job-Sale Scam
URA Restricts Importation of Starlink Equipment Without UPDF Clearance
Museveni Rallies Masaka to Back NRM, Wealth-Creation Programmes
Uganda Law Society Dumps Neutrality, Backs Kyagulanyi
According to the Commission, the decision followed a petition challenging Kyarimpa’s nomination, in which it emerged that one of the registered voters who supported her nomination appeared twice among the ten required endorsers.
“The Commission observed that Niwamanya Tadeo, whose particulars were provided, appears twice among the names and signatures of the ten registered voters supporting the nomination paper,” the EC stated in its letter to Ortus Advocates, who represented the complainant.
As a result, the Commission concluded that Kyarimpa did not satisfy the minimum requirement of ten distinct registered voters from Isingiro District, as provided under Section 28(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177.
“In light of the above, the Commission resolved that Candidate Kyarimpa Resty Sarah was not eligible for nomination to contest for the said elective office since she did not comply with the foregoing provision of the law,” the EC said.
The decision effectively bars Kyarimpa from participating in the 2025 parliamentary race for Isingiro District Woman MP.
However, the ruling has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, accused the Electoral Commission of acting under political pressure and targeting opposition candidates who refuse inducements.
“Whatever Byabakama is looking for, he will definitely get,” Kyagulanyi said in a statement. “Museveni is out there trying to buy out as many NUP candidates as possible, and those who refuse are being illegally de-nominated.”
Kyagulanyi dismissed the EC’s explanation, arguing that the Commission uses a computerized nomination system that cannot allow a single individual to support the nomination of one candidate twice, or support more than one candidate.
“The system cannot even allow one individual to support the nomination of two candidates,” he said, adding that Kyarimpa had allegedly been offered large sums of money to withdraw from the race, which she declined.
He further accused the judiciary of failing to check what he described as repeated violations of electoral laws, calling for fundamental reforms in Uganda’s governance and electoral processes.
The Electoral Commission has not publicly responded to Kyagulanyi’s allegations. Under the law, affected candidates may seek redress through the courts by challenging the Commission’s decision.
The disqualification comes amid heightened political tensions as parties finalize preparations for the 2026 general election cycle.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for more… https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6TpGqLtOjKB7S8OI3d
