The race for the Bugiri District Chairperson (LC5) seat is experiencing significant turbulence as the impending National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries are clouded by a legal challenge against the nomination of Mr. Kasajja Davidson Mulumba, the incumbent.
Bumpenje & Co. Advocates, representing Mr. Kyotaite Muhussein, have formally notified Mr. Mulumba of their intention to file a lawsuit, asserting that he fails to meet the minimum educational prerequisites as outlined in Section 123(d) of the Local Government Act Cap 243.
The notice, dated June 17th, 2025, alleges that Mr. Mulumba is presenting academic qualifications that belong to another individual named “Kasaja Davi Son Mulumba,” and that he lacks the necessary Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent, a mandatory requirement for the position.
Beyond the legal notice, Bumpenje & Co. Advocates have also petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission of Uganda, formally challenging Mr. Mulumba’s nomination.
This petition reiterates the claims made in the legal notice, arguing that Mr. Mulumba’s nomination contravenes Article 44(1) of the NRM Constitution, which stipulates that candidates must fulfill all legal requirements to be eligible for nomination.
The petition also highlights a previous letter sent to the NRM Electoral Commission on June 3rd, 2025, which flagged similar objections to Mr. Mulumba’s nomination.
The current legal action was prompted by the Commission’s decision to proceed with the nomination despite this prior warning.
Bumpenje & Co. Advocates are now imploring the NRM Electoral Commission to urgently review Mr. Mulumba’s nomination documents and ultimately revoke his candidacy.
The petition explicitly warns that failure to take action will result in legal proceedings against both the Commission and Mr. Mulumba himself.
“We trust that the commission will handle this matter with the seriousness it deserves and uphold the integrity of the electoral process,” the petition reads, underscoring the importance of ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.
If substantiated, these allegations could have serious ramifications for both the NRM primaries and the subsequent LC5 elections in Bugiri District.
The outcome of this legal challenge is being closely monitored by political observers and residents of Bugiri, as it raises pertinent questions about the thoroughness of the candidate vetting process and the overall integrity of the electoral system.
As of the time of this report, Mr. Mulumba has not issued a formal statement addressing the allegations. Similarly, the NRM Electoral Commission has yet to publicly comment on the petition lodged against his nomination.
This is a developing story and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The unfolding events will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in Bugiri and potentially influence the outcome of the upcoming elections.
