The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Tribunal has dismissed a petition filed by Kibale County incumbent Member of Parliament, Hon. Oseku Richard Oriebo, challenging the victory of former Minister of Information at Iteso Cultural Union, Hon. Okwi Constantine, in the party’s primaries.
The tribunal ruling, delivered by Panel Head Elton Mugabi, with members Stanley Kangye and Blair Atwebembeire, upheld Okwi’s win, effectively declaring him the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Kibale County in Pallisa District.
The decision now paves the way for Okwi to contest the 2026 general elections as the official ruling party candidate.
The judgment marked a heavy blow to Oseku, who has now suffered yet another political defeat at the hands of Okwi after weeks of legal battles and tense hearings.
The petition arose from the NRM primary elections held on July 17, 2025, where Oseku garnered 5,139 votes against Okwi’s commanding 10,322 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Oseku lodged a petition alleging widespread electoral malpractices, including:
- Failure to use the official voter register at polling stations.
- Ferrying of ineligible voters into Kibale County.
- Violence and intimidation targeting his supporters.
- Tampering with results and lack of Declaration of Results (DR) forms in certain polling stations.
He prayed for nullification of the election and a fresh poll.
At the hearing, Oseku was represented by counsel Okiror Bosco, while Okwi represented himself.
In its ruling, the Tribunal structured its analysis around four central issues: Whether the election was conducted in accordance with NRM guidelines, Whether irregularities occurred, Whether any irregularities substantially affected the result, and Whether the petitioner was entitled to remedies.
Oseku’s legal team argued that Kibale County’s elections were marred by chaos and malpractice from the start.
They cited polling stations such as Okutai and Kisim villages, where the voter register was allegedly abandoned, enabling non-members to vote.
He further alleged that violence broke out before and during polling day, with his supporters, including one Akwamor Julius, being beaten. To back this claim, he submitted photographs of individuals receiving treatment for injuries, purportedly inflicted during the primaries.
Additionally, Oseku claimed that voters were ferried from neighboring districts, and polling timelines were manipulated to accommodate non-residents.
He insisted that Declaration of Results (DR) forms were either tampered with or missing from key polling stations such as Akipanyi A & B and Agururu, compromising transparency.
“These irregularities were not only widespread but systematic,” his lawyer argued. “They robbed the people of Kibale County of their democratic right to choose their flag bearer freely.”
In a spirited self-representation, Hon. Okwi dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
He insisted that all polling stations, save for Akipanyi A & B where his agents were allegedly chased away by Oseku’s supporters, followed NRM procedures.
Okwi argued that the claims of violence were vague and unsupported by credible evidence.
“No affidavits were filed from those allegedly assaulted, nor was there proof linking the incidents to me or my supporters,” he told the tribunal.
On the matter of tampered results, Okwi produced copies of signed DR forms, arguing that results were duly authenticated and certified by agents present.
He stressed that the wide margin of over 5,000 votes clearly demonstrated that the will of Kibale County’s voters was not in doubt.
“The people of Kibale County spoke loudly and clearly. The petitioner must learn to respect their choice rather than seeking refuge in frivolous petitions,” Okwi submitted.
After considering evidence and oral submissions, the Tribunal ruled as follows:
On compliance with NRM guidelines: The tribunal held that the election largely adhered to established rules. While concerns existed about isolated incidents, there was no proof that the process was fundamentally flawed.
On irregularities: The tribunal found no substantial evidence proving the alleged irregularities. Photographs submitted by Oseku did not establish that the injuries were linked to election-day violence, nor was there proof that those pictured were indeed his agents. Allegations about unregistered voters and tampered DR forms were unsubstantiated.
On the effect of irregularities: Given the margin of 5,183 votes, the tribunal ruled that even if minor anomalies had occurred, they could not have altered the outcome.
On remedies: Since the petitioner failed to prove his case, the tribunal dismissed the petition in its entirety.
In conclusion, the Tribunal upheld the declaration of Hon. Okwi Constantine as the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Kibale County.
The ruling cements Okwi’s political comeback.
Once a prominent cabinet minister at ICU, Okwi had taken a quieter role in recent years, but his landslide victory in the primaries signals renewed grassroots support.
His endorsement by the Tribunal not only strengthens his candidacy for 2026 but also re-establishes him as a formidable player in Pallisa politics.
For Hon. Oseku, the decision is a major setback.
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