NRM’s Nameere declared Masaka City Woman MP after tense vote recount

Masaka City, Uganda: Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe has declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Ms Justine Nameere, as Masaka City Woman MP-elect following a contentious four-day vote recount that overturned the Electoral Commission’s earlier declaration of Rose Nalubowa as the winner.

According to the final results declared by the magistrate, Nameere, a Senior Presidential Advisor and proprietor of TMTV, polled 25,502 votes, defeating three rivals despite the discovery of at least one ballot box with a broken seal.

The initial winner, Ms Rose Nalubowa, the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer, garnered 23,176 votes, while Democratic Front (DF) incumbent Juliet Nakakande polled 6,136 votes. Independent candidate Sauya Nanyonga trailed with 5,921 votes.

The ruling followed a January 30 decision by the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court allowing a recount application filed by Nameere, who challenged Nalubowa’s earlier win declared by the city returning officer. The exercise, which stretched into its fourth day by Sunday night, unfolded amid legal disputes, heavy security and sharp disagreements over procedure.

Tensions escalated when NUP denounced the recount as a sham after one ballot box was found with its original seal broken. A section of stakeholders questioned the magistrate’s decision to proceed, citing precedent where recounts are halted upon detection of tampering.

“As the vast majority of the ballot boxes remain unopened, the recount should proceed and only exclude the box whose seal was broken,” Asiimwe ruled, a decision that prompted Nalubowa and her legal team, led by Samuel Muyizzi and Herbert Zikusooka, to storm out of court in protest.

Muyizzi accused the court of bending the law in favour of the ruling party and warned the decision would be challenged in the High Court. Nalubowa said the magistrate had earlier indicated the recount would be discontinued if any ballot box was found tampered with, a position she argued had been reversed mid-process.

The recount period was further clouded by unusual developments outside court, including the sudden transfer of Masaka City Returning Officer Ahmed Nadduli Misisi, who was replaced by Gracious Aryaija from Sembabule District. This publication could not independently verify claims linking the transfer to the recount. Security was tightened around Electoral Commission offices, with surrounding roads sealed off.

In her application, Nameere, through lawyer Sam Ssekyewa, argued that results from 11 polling stations were omitted during tallying, allegedly tilting the outcome in Nalubowa’s favour. She said objections were raised at tallying, but the returning officer advised her to seek remedies elsewhere.

“Results from some polling stations were improperly tallied and others altered, entering false figures against declaration of results forms, which affected the final outcome and can be corrected through a recount,” the application stated.

Polling stations cited included Kasijjagirwa Playground, Kimaanya Centre Church Road, Gayaza Primary School, Former Bright Africa Primary School, Butego LC1, Molly and Paul Primary School, and Katanga Catholic Church, among others. Court officials said the recount would be concluded by day’s end after counting the remaining ballot boxes.