Media personality and politician Justine Nameere has been declared the winner of the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament seat following a contentious court-ordered vote recount.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate secured victory after the process overturned the initial Electoral Commission results that had favoured the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Rose Nalubowa.
The recount, which spanned three to four days and was supervised by Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe (also referred to as Abert Asiimwe), concluded late on Sunday night or early Monday, February 2, 2026.
Nameere emerged with 25,502 votes, surpassing Nalubowa’s 23,176 votes. Other candidates included Democratic Front’s Juliet Kakande (around 6,136 votes) and independent Sauya Nanyonga (approximately 5,921 votes).
The election originally took place on January 15, 2026. The Electoral Commission initially declared Nalubowa the winner with about 25,443 votes against Nameere’s roughly 20,334 (or 20,343 in some reports).
Nameere challenged the outcome in court, citing irregularities such as tampered ballot boxes, mismatched figures between ballot papers and tally sheets, missing ballots, and inconsistencies in polling station records.
During the recount at the Electoral Commission offices in Masaka, several ballot boxes were flagged for anomalies—including broken seals, extra or missing papers, and votes inconsistent with records. Some boxes were excluded or invalidated, leading to adjustments that significantly boosted Nameere’s tally while reducing Nalubowa’s.
The process invalidated around 1,358 votes due to discrepancies, though the final valid vote count appeared higher than initial polling day figures, sparking further debate.
Nameere expressed joy over the outcome, stating that her “victory was stolen before, but it’s now rescued.” She thanked supporters for their belief in her and pledged to prioritise the development and welfare of Masaka City residents. “We shall now get to work,” she affirmed.
The declaration has drawn mixed reactions, with some opposition voices labelling the recount a “sham” amid allegations of irregularities and rigging.
Despite the controversy, Chief Magistrate Asiimwe certified Nameere as the duly elected MP based on the revised results.
This development marks a notable shift in one of Uganda’s closely watched races, highlighting tensions in electoral processes and judicial interventions in disputed polls. Nameere, known for her media background, now steps into a key legislative role for the region.
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