One of the contenders of Rubabo County NRM primary elections in Rukungiri District David Ndindi has formally petitioned the National Resistance Movement Tribunal over mismanagement of the elections and wants the results be set aside and a fresh election be ordered and also be compensated.
Under Section 87,88,90 and 99 of the Parliamentary Election petitions Act , Article 44(2) (b) of the NRM Constitution as Amended ,Regulations 42,43,(1) & (2) ,44(a& b)of the Election Guidelines for NRM Primaries 2025 , Ndindi has dragged Rukungiri District NRM Registrar Wright Mwongyera and the alledged winner of Rubabo County NRM Parliamantary flag, Mathius Mwesigwa Rwabugumi to the NRM Tribunal seeking redress.
Through his Lawyers of M/S Otto Edward Makmot &Co. Advocates located at Inter Service Tower, Plot 33, Lumumba Avenue Kampala, Tushabomwe Ndindirize is described as a male adult Ugandan of sound mind.
Dsvid Ndindi contends that on the 17th Day of July 2025, the National Resistance Movement held primary elections for its flag bearers to represent the party in the coming general elections and both the petitioner and the 2nd respondent participated in the election as candidates for Rubabo county Member of Parliament.
He said that where in the 2nd respondent was declared by the first respondent as the winner on Saturday the 19th Day of July 2025, he dissatisfied with the results of the election on grounds that the whole process that was flawed with material irregularities, rigging, intimidation of voters, bribery of voters , serious intentional mistakes in counting of the votes and hence null and void.
Ndindi is now seeking the Tribunal to order the 2nd respondent not validly elected, the first respondent conducts a fresh election and he should be compensated for the loss caused with general damages and costs.
Ndindi contends that the election was not free and fair, lacked transparency because the voter registers were manipulated giving an example in Buyanja Sub-county where the number of voters exceeded the registered voters which is an indicator that the declaration forms were manipulated.
He also pointed out that out of the two town councils and three sub counties the petitioner was leading where by the total vote count in Nyarushanje, Kebisoni, Buyanja he had 7,213 votes , followed by Mwesigwa Mathias with 6,726 votes, followed by Alex Rugonde with 6,523 votes, followed by Busingye Doreen with 5,221 votes and the only only remaining parish was Nyakishenyi where register alterations were highest, voter bribery was done openly and minors were also allowed to vote.
Ndindi also claim that his Agents were chased from the polling stations by Police and the Army using Guns and has videos to that effect which will be played at the hearing and in some polling stations where he had more supporters, voters were not allowed to vote such as Kibale , Kahoko and Kafunjo.
He also claimed that in the Nyarushanje Sub County most especially Bwanga polling station where the 2nd Respondent comes from, his agents counted 200 voters from 109 voters and that could not be rectified and yet it was evidence, this was rigging of the highest order.
He said that there was manipulation of results in the greater area of Buyanja Sub-county where by evidence on ground indicate that the voter turn up was 35% in parishes of Bugyera, Nyakeina, Rubanga south ,Rubanga North and Nyakabungo and this was a serious offence that warrants the Tribunal to order for a fresh election on grounds that it greatly affected the outcome of the petitioners results.
Ndindi also noted that accordingly the 1st respondent had already made his own results and the declaration form before final results were declare as it can be seen from the declaration form that the 1st respondent signed the declaration form on the 18th July 2025 ,whereas the results were declared on the 19th July 2025 and in Nyarushanje Sub-county voters were bribed with hoes, pangas and money which greatly affected the petitioner’s votes and yet its not accepted under the Guideline for NRM primaries.
Ndindi is therefore humbly praying that the election be set aside, a fresh election ordered, the petitioner be compensates for the loss incurred , general damages and costs of the petition.
Relatedly, the chairman of the National Resistance Movement Party Tribunal John Musiime, has announced that the hearing of disputes arising from the recently concluded NRM parliamentary primaries will commence next Tuesday, 29th July 2025.
Musiime made the announcement today during a press conference which was held at Plot 30, Kyadondo Road where he that they have already received and prepared to handle a total of 381 electoral petitions.
He also said that an Eight member Team has been formed to hear the petition and will finish to handle the petitions by September 1st to pave way for those cleared to be nominated.
The NRM Director of Legal Counsel, Enoch Barata, asked all the petitioners to serve a copy of their petitions both to the dispute tribunal and the respondents.
