Kikuube LC5 Race Disrupted as EC Rejects NRM Flag Bearer Over Name Discrepancies

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) faces a significant setback in the Kikuube District LC5 by-election following the Electoral Commission’s (EC) refusal to nominate their anticipated flag bearer, Philip Mbabazi Burnet.

Burnet, son of retired Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza and a decisive winner of the NRM primaries, was disqualified because his academic and official documents presented three different names: Philip Mbabazi Burnet, Philip Kyaligonza, and Philip Mbabazi. This discrepancy made it impossible for the EC to proceed with his nomination.

“Mbabbazi was not nominated because he had errors in his documents and we could not go ahead and nominate him because this could be against the law,” stated Kikuube District Returning Officer Emmanuel Twine. He emphasized that the EC strictly adheres to electoral laws and guidelines, and operates based on presented documentation, not assumptions.

With Burnet out of the running, the NRM has thrown its support behind Paddy Kisembo, who had initially contested the primaries and was set to run as an independent. The party’s Director for Mobilization, Dr. Rosemary Sseninde, explained that the name issues likely stemmed from Burnet’s studies in the United States, where some documents reportedly only bore ‘Philip Mbabazi’ while a deed poll had ‘Kyaligonza’.

“The law requires clarity,” Sseninde noted, explaining the EC’s decision. The NRM leadership has urged its supporters to rally behind Kisembo for the upcoming polls.

The Kikuube LC5 by-election will now be primarily a contest between the NRM-backed Paddy Kisembo and Phenhansi Timanyire of the National Unity Platform (NUP), with campaigns set to commence after the nomination period.

This situation highlights the critical need for political aspirants to ensure all their legal and academic documents are consistent before seeking electoral office.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)