NRM candidate Justine Nameere has been declared Masaka City Woman MP after a court-ordered recount overturned earlier election results.
The decision was delivered by Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe following a full recount of votes cast in the January 15 parliamentary election. The ruling reversed the initial declaration by the Electoral Commission that had awarded the seat to National Unity Platform candidate Rose Nalubowa. The recount was ordered after Nameere challenged the original outcome in court, citing several alleged irregularities during tallying and verification.
Four candidates contested the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament seat: Nameere of the National Resistance Movement, Nalubowa of the National Unity Platform, Juliet Nakabuye Kakande of the Democratic Front, and independent candidate Nanyonga Sauya. Initial results released by the Electoral Commission showed Nalubowa leading with 25,443 votes, followed by Nameere with 20,343 votes. Sauya received 5,921 votes, while Kakande trailed the field.
Nameere petitioned the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court, arguing that the election was affected by vote tampering, missing polling station returns, mismatched tally sheets, and inconsistencies between ballot papers and recorded figures. In response, the court ordered a full recount, which was conducted over three days at the Electoral Commission offices in Masaka City under court supervision.
During the recount, several anomalies were identified. Some polling stations showed discrepancies between the number of ballot papers issued and the votes counted. One ballot box was found without a proper security seal and was excluded from the final count. Results from Kimwanyi P7 polling station, where all 97 votes had been credited to Nameere, were also set aside due to concerns over credibility. In addition, six ballot boxes were flagged for suspected tampering and removed from the tally.
After excluding the disputed results and making adjustments, the final certified figures placed Nameere in the lead with 25,502 votes. Nalubowa followed with 23,176 votes, Kakande received 6,136 votes, and Sauya retained her earlier total of 5,921 votes. Magistrate Asiimwe ruled that while irregularities were present, they were not sufficient to nullify the entire election and proceeded to issue Nameere with a certificate of election.
NRM supporters welcomed the ruling, with Nameere saying the decision restored justice. NUP representatives strongly criticized the process, with some lawyers and party agents withdrawing from the recount, alleging bias. Public reaction has been divided, and attention has now turned to whether Nalubowa or her party will file an appeal.
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