JUSTINE NAMEEERE’S MASAKA MP ELECTION DECLARED INVALID AFTER MUSEVENI’S ‘INTERFERENCE’
KAMPALA, Uganda – 9 April 2026 – The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has declared that Justine Nameere’s election as Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament is invalid, citing “self-evident interference” by President Yoweri Museveni in the electoral process.
In a strongly worded statement issued today, the ULS condemned remarks made by President Museveni on 8 April 2026 during the NRM Leaders’ Retreat in Kyankwanzi, in which he commented on the election dispute between NRM candidate Justine Nameere and NUP candidate Rose Nalubowa.
According to the ULS, the President’s reported engagement with the Electoral Commission and the Uganda Police Force—resulting in the removal and replacement of the Returning Officer, District Police Commander, and Regional Police Commander allegedly at Nameere’s urging—fundamentally compromised the independence of those institutions.
Constitutional violations cited
The legal body pointed specifically to violations of Article 62 of Uganda’s Constitution, which guarantees the Electoral Commission’s independence, stating the Commission “shall, in the performance of its functions, not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.”
The ULS also cited Article 128, which enshrines judicial independence, providing that “no person or authority shall interfere with the courts or judicial officers in the exercise of their judicial functions.”
Disputed election background
The ULS’s Election Observer Report, launched on 4 February 2026, documented that the Masaka City Woman MP election was marred by serious irregularities, including a court-ordered recount that ultimately led to Nameere being declared the winner amid allegations of judicial misconduct.
“Election disputes must be resolved exclusively through established legal channels, without undue influence, pressure, interference, or public commentary from the Executive,” the ULS statement emphasized.
The Society further stressed that both the Electoral Commission and the Judiciary must be permitted to discharge their mandates independently and impartially, strictly within the bounds of the law.
The declaration renders Nameere’s victory invalid, though it remains unclear whether the government or electoral authorities will formally act on the ULS’s finding.
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