NRM tribunal rules against three ministers

Minister Joyce Kaducu

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has dismissed petitions filed by three incumbent ministers, effectively ending their challenges to the party’s primary results and confirming their rivals as the official flag bearers for the upcoming 2026 general elections.

The ministers whose petitions were thrown out are Dr Fredrick Ngobi Gume, state minister for Cooperatives, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, state minister for Primary Health Care and Victoria Businge Rusoke, state minister for Local Government.

In his petition for the Bulamogi North West Constituency, Gume accused his opponent, George Patrick Kasajja, of widespread irregularities, including inflated voter registers and pre-signed declaration forms.

While the tribunal found evidence of some irregular 3,250 votes added to Kasajja’s tally and 410 deducted from Gume’s, it concluded that the margin of 1,861 votes was not substantial enough to overturn the result.

The panel, led by Elton Mugabi, dismissed the petition, leaving Kasajja as the flag bearer. Rusoke’s petition against Pamela Kirungi focused on her rival’s eligibility. Rusoke argued that Kirungi was still a public servant after the Electoral Commission’s resignation deadline.

Kirungi, however, presented evidence showing her retirement date was revised to May 31, 2025, and that she had handed over her office on time. Although she admitted to receiving a June salary, the tribunal accepted her explanation that it was an administrative error she had sought to rectify.

The panel, led by Paul Rutisya, upheld Kirungi’s election. Kaducu’s petition alleged voter intimidation, bribery, and manipulated results. The tribunal, however, ruled that only the official results announced on July 17, 2025, were valid and that subsequent conflicting versions lacked credibility.

The panel, chaired by John Musiime, found no evidence that the alleged irregularities were systematic enough to substantially affect the final outcome, leading to the dismissal of her petition.

These rulings are part of the third batch of decisions from the tribunal, bringing the total number of resolved parliamentary primary petitions to over 150. According to NRM legal director Enoch Barata, all remaining parliamentary decisions are expected to be released by the end of the week.

The tribunal has now turned its attention to petitions from the Local Government elections, as the party finalizes its list of flag bearers in preparation for the 2026 national elections