The political drama in Bukono Constituency has taken a new twist after the NRM Election Disputes Tribunal nullified the victory of Maganda Emmanuel Katooko, who had been declared the party’s flag bearer in the primaries last month.
The decision follows a petition by State Minister Princess Persis Namuganza, who argued that the election was marred by irregularities and foul play.
The Tribunal ruled in her favour and ordered a fresh primary election within 21 days, a development that bolsters Namuganza’s claims that she has been the target of a long-running political witch-hunt within the ruling party.
Namuganza, the incumbent MP for Bukono, had recently announced plans to contest as an independent candidate, accusing the NRM Electoral Commission of deliberately working to edge her out of the race.
She described the unfolding events in Namutumba as a coordinated plot to end her political career — a plot, she said, tied to her 2019 censure motion in Parliament and her reconciliation with First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, which reignited old rivalries inside the party.
“This ruling proves what I have been saying all along: there are people within NRM who want to silence me by any means necessary. But the people of Bukono deserve fairness, and I will not back down,” Namuganza told jubilant supporters after the Tribunal’s pronouncement.
The Tribunal’s decision is now seen by observers as both a vindication of Namuganza’s grievances and a test for the NRM’s ability to enforce credibility in its internal elections.
The re-run is expected to be closely monitored, with high stakes for both Namuganza and Katooko.
Her independent bid, declared weeks before this ruling, adds another layer of uncertainty.
Analysts note that the outcome of the re-run could either cement her hold on the constituency under the NRM ticket or set the stage for a bruising showdown in the 2026 general elections.
For now, Bukono’s political future hangs in the balance as the ruling party gears up for yet another heated internal contest.
