Jacqueline Mbabazi’s candidature as the NRM party flag bearer for the Member of Parliament seat representing older persons in Western Uganda has been nullified.
The development comes as a major twist, barely weeks after the NRM Election Disputes Tribunal upheld her victory in the party primaries. Earlier this month, the Tribunal dismissed Petition No. CEC 001 of 2025, which had been filed by Patrick Kyamukate Mutabwire, Mbabazi’s closest rival in the August 26 primaries.
In that ruling, the Tribunal confirmed Mbabazi’s win with 215 votes against Mutabwire’s 162, with five other candidates sharing 53 votes. The petition was dismissed, and Mbabazi was declared the rightful flag bearer.
Her nullification today, however, overturns that decision and throws the NRM race for the Western Region Older Persons seat into fresh uncertainty.
Mbabazi, wife to former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, had already begun preparing for the general elections, outlining her priorities of improving healthcare, safeguarding property rights of the elderly, and promoting access to SACCO funding for older citizens.
The reasons behind her nullification are yet to be formally communicated by the party, but sources inside NRM suggest new internal reviews could have prompted the reversal.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the party and the wider political arena, with observers noting that this could reopen divisions within NRM ranks in Western Uganda.
Details on what happens next — including whether a fresh flag bearer will be named or if the primaries will be repeated — are still emerging.
