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Petitioner Patrick Kyamukate Mutabwire
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Mbarara
The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified Mutabiwire Patrick Kyamukaate from the race for Member of Parliament for Older Persons, Western Region, after ruling that he failed to meet the minimum legal requirements for nomination. The decision, issued on 23rd November 2025 and signed by EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, followed a complaint filed on 30th October 2025 by Tuhairwe Jackson of M/S Alaka and Company Advocates, acting on behalf of contestant Mbabazi Jacqueline.
According to the complaint, Kyamukaate—who was nominated on 23rd October 2025—did not meet the requirement of submitting at least ten valid supporters.
The complainant noted that four individuals—Nassira Hope, Boyana Benedicto, Muramagi Milton Ssalongo, and Kamuza Eldard Behangana—who appeared on Kyamukaate’s list of supporters had earlier endorsed the nomination of Mbabazi Jacqueline, who was nominated a day earlier on 22nd October 2025 for the same elective position.
In his defence, Kyamukaate insisted that Boyana Benedicto and Kamuza Eldard Behangana “did not endorse the nomination of Mbabazi Jacqueline,” claiming that the names and signatures on his list had been collected by his coordinator.
However, after deliberating on submissions from both parties during meetings held on 4th, 10th, and 23rd November 2025, the Commission concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support Kyamukaate’s assertions.
The EC established that the four contested names and their National Identification Numbers appeared on the nomination papers of both candidates.
“The supporting nomination of multiple candidates contesting for the same elective office negates the legitimate requirement of subscribing to one nomination paper as envisioned in electoral laws,” the EC observed.
The Commission further ruled that once the four disputed supporters were removed from Kyamukaate’s list, he remained with only six valid supporters—below the required ten.
“In light of Section 28(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, Mutabwire Patrick Kyamukaate remains with an insufficient number of names required to support his nomination. Accordingly, Mutabwire Patrick Kyamukaate stands deniminated,” Justice Byabakama stated in the final decision.
