The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Tribunal has dismissed the petition challenging the declaration of Hon. Simon Peter Okwalinga Opolot as the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Kanyum County in the 2025 party primaries.
The verdict, which brings an end to weeks of legal and political drama in Kanyum County, was delivered on August 6, 2025, by a three-member panel led by Tribunal Chairperson Martin Mbanza Kalemera, with members Deborah Nshemereirwe and Kipaalu Kenneth concurring.
In their ruling, the Tribunal found that the petitioner, Mr. Vincent Orena, failed to meet the legal threshold required to prove the serious allegations of electoral malpractice, including voter bribery and the alleged distribution of livestock coupons as inducements during the campaign period.
“Having failed to prove the allegations to the required standard, the petitioner is not entitled to the reliefs sought,” read the ruling in part.
The Tribunal concluded that there was no sufficient basis to nullify the declaration of Mr. Opolot Simon Peter Okwalinga as the winner of the NRM primaries for Kanyum County or to order a fresh poll.
Final Orders Issued by the Tribunal:
1. The Petition is hereby dismissed.
2. The declaration of Mr. Opolot Simon Peter Okwalinga as the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Kanyum County Constituency is upheld.
This ruling is a major victory for Hon. Opolot, who had earlier maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and insisted that his victory was a reflection of the will of the voters in Kanyum.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the Tribunal’s decision, an elated Opolot thanked his supporters and the NRM electoral commission for standing by the truth.
“Justice has been served. This decision reaffirms the trust that the people of Kanyum have in me, and I pledge to continue serving them with integrity and purpose,” Opolot said.
He further urged unity among party members in the constituency and called on Mr. Orena and his supporters to put aside differences and work for the common good of the party and community.
“The elections are behind us. Let us now focus on building Kanyum and ensuring victory for the NRM in the general elections come 2026,” he added.
Background of the Petition
The petition by Mr. Vincent Orena was one of several filed from the Teso sub-region following the recent NRM primary elections, which were marred by accusations and heated political rivalry.
Orena had alleged that Opolot and his campaign team engaged in voter bribery through the distribution of livestock (specifically sheep), and that the process was unfair and compromised.
However, during the Tribunal hearing, it emerged that Orena could not conclusively link the coupons for livestock distribution to the accused.
Instead, the photos he submitted showed agents allegedly affiliated with his own campaign team in possession of the said coupons.
This raised further doubts about the credibility of the evidence and the intentions behind the petition.
The Tribunal noted these inconsistencies and ruled that the petitioner had not only failed to meet the evidentiary standard but had also cast doubt on his own narrative by presenting evidence that appeared to implicate his side rather than that of the respondent.
Political Implications
The Tribunal’s ruling now clears the path for Hon. Opolot to officially launch his campaign for the 2026 general elections under the NRM ticket.
Political analysts see this as a stabilizing moment for the party in Kanyum County, which had been experiencing internal friction due to the unresolved petition.
Some party elders in Kumi district, speaking on condition of anonymity, welcomed the decision, saying it restores confidence in the internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the NRM.
“This ruling sends a strong message that justice will be served fairly within the party. It also shows that evidence matters, not just accusations,” one elder remarked.
Meanwhile, supporters of Mr. Orena have expressed disappointment with the outcome, but many acknowledged that the case had weakened over time due to lack of clear documentation and credible witnesses.
With this ruling, Hon. Simon Peter Opolot becomes the official NRM flag bearer for Kanyum County and is now expected to begin mobilization ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The Tribunal is still expected to issue rulings in other cases from the Teso sub-region in the coming days.
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