Luwero disabled fraternity seek review of NRM candidate’s eligibility

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The National Council for Persons with Disabilities has stepped in to resolve a dispute among the disabled fraternity in Luwero over the eligibility of a newly nominated candidate vying to represent them in the district council.

A section of persons with disabilities in the district has opposed the nomination of Herbert Sekabira, who was nominated on September 4, 2025, to contest for the position of Luwero district disabled male councillor.

Sekabira, who does not have any noticeable physical disability, maintains that he is eligible because he became deaf in one ear as a result of torture allegedly inflicted by security personnel in 2012.

However, his critics insist that he does not qualify as a person with a disability.

Sekabira, the NRM flag bearer in the two-man race, will face Charles Mabonga, a blind candidate who was nominated on September 3, 2025, on an independent ticket.

Disability Council summons Sekabira

In a recent letter, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities summoned Sekabira to appear before an expert committee to determine the validity of his disability.

"You are invited to appear in the meeting with the expert committee of the council at the council office block in Kireka rehabilitation centre," reads the letter.

According to the same letter, signed by Osborn Turyasingura, secretary to the national secretariat of special interest groups, the council’s intervention follows a petition filed through NUDIPU challenging Sekabira’s disability.

Disqualified by EC in 2021

Sekabira was previously nominated for the same post during the 2021 elections. However, the Electoral Commission nullified his candidature after he failed to prove his disability before the commissioners.

While disqualifying Sekabira in 2021, EC chairman Simon Byabakama wrote: "The candidate Sekabira stands disqualified as he failed to prove substantially that he has disabilities envisaged under the provisions of (1) and (3) of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2019."

Byabakama further directed that Sekabira’s only rival at the time, Ssuuna Mulema, who is physically disabled, be declared unopposed since he was the sole remaining candidate.

Sekabira drags EC to court

After being disqualified in 2021, Sekabira petitioned the Luwero court, arguing that he had been unfairly barred from the race without being given a fair hearing.

The Persons with Disabilities Act, which came into force in 2019, states: "Whenever a question arises whether a person has a disability or not or whether court so requires, a medical doctor with the relevant expertise shall carry out an examination to confirm the disability."

In October 2021, Luweero Chief Magistrate Samuel Munobe ruled in Sekabira’s favour, declaring the EC’s decision "Illegal, null and void."

Munobe faulted the electoral body for disqualifying Sekabira without the services of a competent doctor as required by law. He ordered fresh elections, stating that the EC had "delivered a cowardly win" to Suuna Mulema, who had been declared unopposed.

However, the Electoral Commission and Sekabira’s rival, Suuna Mulema, filed appeals in the High Court, which upheld the EC’s decision.