The Electoral Commission (EC) has rejected a petition by lawyer and political aspirant Ivan Bwowe, who sought to nullify the nomination of seven candidates for the Nakawa West parliamentary seat. Bwowe had claimed the candidates were nominated for a “non-existent constituency.”
EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon said the Commission found no merit in Bwowe’s complaint.
“In view of the foregoing, the Commission, under MIN. COMP 042/2025, resolved that the complaint had no merit and is hereby dismissed. Accordingly, the Commission upholds the decision of the Returning Officer, Kampala, in nominating the respondents,” Justice Byabakama stated. He added that both the Returning Officer and the affected candidates had been formally notified of the ruling.
Bwowe’s petition, submitted on November 6, 2025, named seven candidates, including incumbent MP Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi, Happy Nasasira, Herbert Anderson Burora, Felix Ephraim Okuye, Vincent Norbert Okumu, Wilberforce Kyambadde, and Rwamiti Apuuli. Bwowe argued that the legally recognised constituency is Nakawa Division West, not “Nakawa West” as listed on the nominations. He claimed that only he was validly nominated, having fulfilled all legal requirements on October 23, 2025.
Bwowe further alleged that six of the respondents were registered voters in Nakawa Division West but were listed under “Nakawa West,” while one candidate is registered in Mbarara North Division, making them ineligible. He asked the EC to declare him elected unopposed under Section 19(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The EC, however, dismissed these claims, confirming that the Returning Officer acted correctly and that all seven candidates were validly nominated. The ruling allows all candidates to contest in the 2026 elections.
Reacting to the decision, incumbent MP Joel Ssenyonyi welcomed the dismissal. “The petition against me and the other candidates in Nakawa West has been dismissed for lack of merit. The PFF candidate should focus on campaigning on the ground—shortcuts won’t work,” he said.
