Jacqueline Mbabazi unopposed as MP for older persons western region

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The Electoral Commission on Monday, December 8, 2025, declared Jacqueline Mbabazi, wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, unopposed as Member of Parliament representing older persons in the western region after her opponent failed to meet the nomination requirements.

Her opponent, Patrick Mutabwire Kyamukaate, former local government permanent secretary, was denominated as a candidate for the same position on grounds that he did not meet the threshold of ten supporters as required by law.

"You are no longer a candidate but an MP elect waiting to be sworn in," Richard Nsuube, the returning officer for the elections of older persons representatives to Parliament, said while handing Mbabazi a certificate.

She now joins Ofwono Opondo, who was declared unopposed as MP-elect representing the eastern region after his opponent was also disqualified by the Electoral Commission.

EC decision

EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama communicated the Commission’s decision to denominate Mutabwire in a letter dated November 23, 2025, addressed to Jackson Tuhairwe from Alaka and Company Advocates, who represented the complainant who filed the petition against Mutabwire.

"Reference is made to your complaint lodged with the Commission on October 30, 2025, in respect to the nomination of Mutabwire for the position of Member of Parliament, Older Persons, Western Region. Your client, in his complaint, stated that Mutabwire, who was nominated on October 23, 20205, did not comply with the requirements of submitting a minimum of ten supporters and that Hope Nsasira, Benedicto Boyana, Milton Muramagi, Eldard Kamuza Bahengana, who appear in his list of supporters, had earlier endorsed the nomination of Jacqueline Mbabazi," Byabakama said.

Byabakama’s letter stated that, "Mutabwire in reply contended that Boyana and Kamuza did not support the nomination of Jacqueline Mbabazi, the wife of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and that the names of his supporters and signature were collected by his coordinator."

He said the Commission, upon deliberating over the issues raised in the complaint and considering the presentations of counsel from both sides, in its meetings of November 4, 10 and 23, 2025, made the following observations:

- That while Mbabazi was nominated for the position of MP, Older Persons for Western Region on October 22, 2025, Mutabwire was nominated for the same elective office on October 23, 2025.

- That Mbabazi submitted a list of 90 names of supporters for her nomination, including Boyana, Muramagi, Nsasira and Kamuza.

- That Boyana, Muramagi, Nsasira and Kamuza were also part of the list of supporters Mutabwire submitted for his nomination on October 23, 2025.

- Mutabwire alleged that Boyana, Muramagi, Nsasira and Kamuza did not endorse the candidature of Jacqueline Mbabazi but failed to adduce evidence.

- It is undisputed that the names and National Identification Numbers of Boyana, Muramagi, Nsasira and Kamuza appear on the nomination papers of both Mbabazi and Mutabwire, who were contesting for the same elective office.

- That supporting the nomination of multiple candidates contesting for the same elective office negates the legitimate requirement of subscribing to one nomination paper as envisioned in electoral laws.

"Based on the foregoing observations, the Commission under MIN.COMP/058/2025, resolved that when the names of Boyana, Muramagi, Nsasira and Kamuza are excluded from the list of supporters of Mutabwire submitted for his nomination, it leaves him with six out of the required ten supporters," Byabakama stated.

He said, "In light of section 28 (1) (c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, Mutabwire remains with an insufficient number of names required to support his nomination. Accordingly, Mutabwire stands denominated."

Mutabwire stood against Mbabazi for the National Resistance Movement flag bearer position for Older Persons but was defeated in the party primaries held in Kololo.

Mbabazi secured 215 votes, narrowly defeating Mutabwire’s 162, while five other candidates shared 53 votes, prompting Mutabwire to petition the party’s election disputes tribunal, which overturned its earlier ruling.

On September 24, 2025, the tribunal, led by John Musiime and supported by Esau Isingoma and Nelson Kamuhanda, cancelled the September 5 ruling that had named Mbabazi as the NRM flag bearer. The panel ordered the NRM Electoral Commission to organise a new primary election within fourteen days, following strict party guidelines.

In the new poll conducted, Mbabazi emerged the winner with 189 votes against Mutabwire’s 137 votes, prompting the NRM’s EC chairperson, Tanga Odoi, to announce her winner.

Five MPs representing older persons

There are five MPs representing Older Persons in the Parliament of Uganda. These five representatives are elected through an electoral college system, with specific regional representation requirements.

Four representatives are elected by the four regions of Uganda, namely Northern, Eastern, Central and Western. One national woman representative for older persons is jointly elected by the National Elders' Council.