Buyende, Uganda: The Buyende District Electoral Commission has declared the Budiope East parliamentary race concluded with the incumbent Moses Hashim Magogo cleared as unopposed following the disqualification of all his challengers.
Buyende election registrar and returning officer George William Eriau announced that there will be no voting for the directly elected Member of Parliament for Budiope East after the High Court upheld the Electoral Commission’s decision to disqualify Daniel Mulirire, the last remaining challenger.
“The High Court reaffirmed the decision taken by the Electoral Commission to disqualify candidate Daniel Mulirire, which leaves the incumbent Moses Hashim Magogo of the NRM as the sole candidate. There will therefore be no election for the directly elected MP seat in Budiope East,” Eriau said in a message addressed to voters after receiving election materials.
He clarified that voting in the constituency will only proceed for the presidential and Woman Member of Parliament positions, while urging residents to remain calm, peaceful and to exercise their civic duty.
Magogo’s confirmation as unopposed has triggered mixed reactions across Buyende District. Some voters said the outcome had long been expected after his closest rival, Godfrey Dhamuzungu, withdrew from the race, citing the death of his father and family pressure.
Other candidates, including Stephen Bangalana, Rabin Peere and Resty Nsiro, were also disqualified following petitions filed against their nominations.
However, sections of the electorate allege that some candidates were financially induced to exit the race, while others believe they were initially fielded to weaken Dhamuzungu’s support before later bowing out through legal challenges.
Speaking during an NRM mobilisation event in Buyende District, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among congratulated Magogo, saying his unopposed victory reflected his record of service and influence in the district.
“It is not surprising that Magogo is unopposed. He has delivered for his people. Certain forces wanted to frustrate him, but now this gives him a bigger responsibility to mobilise the entire district as NRM chairperson,” Among said.
She added that the overwhelming support that elevated Magogo to district NRM chairmanship was a clear signal from the electorate, urging residents of Budiope East to reciprocate the confidence placed in him.
District civil servants also welcomed the development, arguing that Magogo’s cooperative leadership style and his position as the spouse of the Speaker of Parliament strengthen Buyende’s leverage in lobbying for national resources and government programmes.
But dissenting voices have vowed to remain vigilant. In a statement, Team Tweyambe Beene cautioned Magogo’s camp against complacency, insisting they would regroup, reorganise and hold him accountable.
“We understand the circumstances under which he became unopposed, but we shall keep him on his heels. A court-driven unopposed victory is less credible than winning at the ballot,” the group said.
Tomasi Ngole, a supporter of Daniel Mulirire, criticised the nomination and disqualification process, arguing that allowing the same body to nominate and later disqualify candidates undermines democratic principles and fuels voter apathy.
In response, Magogo said his commitment to serving Budiope East remains firm, describing his leadership mission as unconditional. “My passion to serve the people of Budiope is like a mother’s love. No amount of pressure, intimidation or propaganda will divert me from my vision,” he said.
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