NRM elections tribunal upholds Jackline Mbabazi’s victory
The petition arose from the party primary elections held on August 26 2025, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where Jackline, the wife of former Prime Minister Patrick John Amama Mbabazi, was declared the winner of the party nomination in the forthcoming general elections.
Amama Mbabazi, following the party election disputes tribunal, took to his social media platforms to celebrate.
By Nelson Kiva
Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party elections tribunal has upheld the victory of Jackcline Mbabazi as the party flagbearer for the Member of Parliament seat for older persons in western Uganda.
The petition arose from the party primary elections held on August 26 2025, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where Jackline, the wife of former Prime Minister Patrick John Amama Mbabazi, was declared the winner of the party nomination in the forthcoming general elections.
The petitioner Patrick Kyamukate Mutabwire alleged that the elections were marred by irregularities, including the addition of fictitious votes.
Mutabwire, who is also the founder of Western Uganda Older Persons Association, went on to accuse the party's electoral chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, of manipulating the count in favour of Mbabazi.
The other contenders in the race included David Kabigumira, Mary Bashongoka Kamaduuka, Fidelis Guma Gumisiriza, Ann Muhindo Bakazimbaga and Lawrence Bategeka Ntooto.
Amama Mbabazi, following the party election disputes tribunal, took to his social media platforms to celebrate.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in and respected the NRM Party primaries. The Party Election Disputes Tribunal has now delivered its verdict, dismissing the petition and upholding Jacqueline’s victory as the party flag bearer for the MP seat for Older Persons (Western Region). This process has been an important in-house cleanup, and I commend all parties for allowing it to run its course,” Mbabazi highlighted.
He added, “Now is the time to close ranks, heal any divisions, and move forward together as one united party as we prepare for the forthcoming general elections.”
The tribunal was set up by the party chairman, President Yoweri Museveni, to handle election disputes resulting from the party primaries, including those hosted on July 17, 2025, to elect party Parliamentary candidates, LC5 and city mayors’ candidates held on July 20, among others.
Museveni, who formed the tribunal on the legal basis that Tanga Odoi wouldn’t handle disputes where he was being accused in his capacity as an office holder, pledged justice to those ‘cheated’ in the primaries.