The Electoral Commission has officially declared Jacqueline Mbabazi, wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, unopposed for the Member of Parliament position representing Older Persons in Uganda’s Western Region. This announcement concludes a tumultuous political journey spanning several months, marked by petitions, election reversals, and repeat polls.
The decision followed a petition submitted by Jackson Tuhayire, a voter from Rwampara District, challenging the nomination of Patrick Kyamukate Mutabwire. Tuhayire argued that Mutabwire had not gathered the minimum number of supporters required for a valid nomination, a claim the Electoral Commission later upheld. With no other eligible candidate remaining, Mbabazi was declared the sole contender, effectively granting her automatic entry into Parliament.
Mbabazi’s uncontested nomination comes after a series of internal party disputes within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). In a repeat election for the NRM flag just weeks prior, she had narrowly defeated Mutabwire, securing 229 votes to his 176. This rerun was ordered by the NRM Election Disputes Tribunal after her initial August 26 victory was annulled due to procedural irregularities in the first round.
The Tribunal, chaired by John Musiime alongside members Esau Isingoma and Nelson Kamuhanda, ruled on September 24, 2025, that the first primaries had not fully adhered to party regulations. It instructed the NRM Electoral Commission to organize a fresh election within 14 days, reopening the contest between Mbabazi and Mutabwire.
While the repeat vote resolved the immediate internal contest, it did not end the broader election uncertainty. Mutabwire had planned to appear on the national ballot until Tuhayire’s petition revealed that his nomination lacked the constitutionally required number of supporting signatures from older persons in the Western Region.
Tuhayire maintained that this deficiency constituted a “fundamental violation of the nomination guidelines set for special interest group elections.” After verification, the Electoral Commission agreed, invalidating Mutabwire’s candidacy and leaving Mbabazi as the only qualified candidate.
With no opponent remaining, Mbabazi was officially declared unopposed, solidifying her NRM victory and streamlining her path to Parliament.
Her political journey began in August 2025 when she was first declared the NRM flag-bearer after polling 215 votes against Mutabwire’s 162. Mutabwire quickly challenged the results, citing irregularities in delegate verification and vote counting. Though initially upheld by the Tribunal on September 5, the decision was later overturned upon review of new evidence, plunging the internal race into uncertainty and sparking speculation about party divisions.
The subsequent repeat election restored Mbabazi’s standing, and now the Electoral Commission’s ruling at the national level has confirmed her political comeback.
Throughout her campaign, Mbabazi has emphasized improving healthcare access for senior citizens, strengthening social security programs, and protecting elderly landowners from exploitation.
“Our senior citizens have contributed immensely to building this nation,” she said during her victory speech after the repeat election. “They deserve better healthcare, protection from land grabbers, and opportunities to live productive, dignified lives. That is the vision I will carry to Parliament.”
Mbabazi intends to push for expanded community health outreach programs, stronger SACCOs targeting senior citizens, and legal reforms safeguarding property rights.
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