The National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries in Budiope West Constituency have taken a dramatic turn, with contestant Dennis Mutagaya filing a scathing complaint against the declared winner, presidency minister Milly Babirye Babalanda, before the NRM Elections Disputes Tribunal. Mutagaya alleges “contempt of the tribunal” alongside a raft of election malpractices, even controversially requesting a mental examination for his rival.
Mutagaya’s letter, dated August 4, 2025, details how Babalanda allegedly began circulating “contempt voice messages” on social and local media platforms just days after their July 30, 2025, hearing before the tribunal’s panel. In these messages, Babalanda reportedly declared herself the winner prematurely and launched personal attacks against Mutagaya, labeling him a “marijuana user,” a “witch,” and falsely attributing a local accident to him.
“Before the seven days [for feedback from the tribunal] could elapse, Milly Babirye Babalanda is pronouncing herself a winner,” Mutagaya states in his complaint, adding that the “abusive language used by Babirye Babalanda in her audios does not represent sobriety.”
The contempt claims build upon Mutagaya’s initial petition (case PT-045/2025), which cited numerous electoral malpractices during the NRM primaries. These included alleged alteration of results in 18 polling stations in Buyende Town Council, where Mutagaya claims he presented evidence of manipulated declaration of results (DR) forms, noting Babalanda’s failure to produce her own DR forms in defense.
Other accusations from Mutagaya’s petition comprise polling officials absconding with materials before results declaration, confirmed by video evidence. He also alleged the complete absence of voting activities in multiple polling stations (including Ndolwa, Nkondo, Kidera Town Council, Buyanja, and Bukungu), despite results being posted in Babalanda’s favour. Furthermore, Mutagaya’s petition cited heavy deployment of government forces, police, army, and “goons” during the election.
Perhaps the most striking of Mutagaya’s demands to the tribunal is an order for a “mental examination” of Hon. Milly Babirye Babalanda. Mutagaya asserts, “This is because some of these election issues can mean to mentally disturbing so we might innocently accuse someone yet she is not in her right mental state of mind.” He further requested the tribunal to recommend necessary treatment if she is found not to be mentally sound.
Should she be found “mentally fine,” Mutagaya seeks an order restraining her from commenting on the tribunal matters until judgment is passed. He also requested the tribunal to personally serve Babalanda with copies of the submitted DR forms and “explain to her one by one” to clarify that they pertain to directly elected members of parliament, not women contestants, as she allegedly claimed.
Mutagaya vehemently asserts that Babalanda “never won this election, not even a count of 10 polling station in the whole constituency.” He attributes her declared victory to “beating people, running with DR forms changing results.”
Raising the political stakes, Mutagaya warned the tribunal that mishandling these petitions could lead to the NRM losing Buyende district to the opposition in upcoming elections, highlighting its importance as one of only two districts in Busoga genuinely supporting President Museveni. He cast doubt on Babalanda’s reported 99,000 votes, stating, “I bet she can’t present this figure for President Museveni for the coming elections.”
Mutagaya’s complaint also highlighted Babalanda’s reported security escort, including the RDC, even during her tribunal appearance, which he suggested indicated undue influence. He has submitted audio recordings of Babalanda’s alleged contemptuous remarks as evidence to the tribunal. The NRM Elections Disputes Tribunal is yet to issue its judgment on the matter.
Babirye Milly Babalanda was declared the NRM flag bearer for Budiope West after scoring 99,832 votes bettering Kyoto Ibrahim with 9,995 votes, Mutagaya Denis with 12,940 votes, with Mukisa Edward 471 votes, Tibatesa William 666 votes and Mbaziira Fred with 448 votes. Mutagaya and Kyoto filed separate petitions challenging the ministers victory. The minister maintains she attain a clean victory as voted by the party members in Budiope West.
