Masaka Woman MP Race Heats Up as Justine Nameere Runs to Court Over “Stolen Victory”
UGLugambo TeamJanuary 31, 2026
Justine Nameere, the runner-up in the hotly contested Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament race, has stormed the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court demanding a vote recount and a declaration that she — not her rival — is the rightful winner.
Nameere, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, claims she was deliberately robbed of victory in the January 15 elections through what she describes as malicious and biased actions by the Masaka City Returning Officer, Ahmed Nadduli.
The Electoral Commission had earlier declared Rose Nalubowa of the National Unity Platform (NUP) as the winner with 25,443 votes, beating Nameere’s 20,324 votes.
The incumbent MP, Juliet Kakanda of the Democratic Front, trailed far behind with 6,343 votes.
But Nameere says the numbers don’t tell the real story.
“My Votes Were Quietly Deleted”
In her court application, Nameere accuses the returning officer of intentionally omitting results from polling stations where she allegedly won by landslide margins. She insists the exclusions significantly altered the final outcome.
According to the Electoral Commission, results from at least seven polling stations were cancelled after officials discovered that vote totals exceeded registered voters and that some declaration forms contained crossed or inconsistent figures. These cancellations followed complaints from rival candidates who questioned the authenticity of the documents.
However, Nameere’s legal team, led by Anthony Baziira, argues that the explanation doesn’t add up.
They claim the returning officer failed to tally results from all 314 polling stations in Masaka City and deliberately excluded at least 11 polling stations where Nameere reportedly enjoyed overwhelming support.
Nameere has submitted cancelled declaration of results forms to court, arguing that their removal conveniently benefited the NUP candidate while slashing her own tally.
She further claims that the alleged irregularities cost her over 5,000 votes — votes that would have handed her a clear victory.
“We have spoken to all presiding officers from the affected polling stations, and they have confirmed on record that voting took place and results were transmitted without any irregularities,” her application reads in part.
Nalubowa Fires Back: “This Is a Fishing Expedition”
Nalubowa, now Masaka City’s Woman MP-elect, is having none of it.
Through her lawyers led by Samuel Muyizzi, she has vehemently opposed the recount application, dismissing Nameere’s claims as fabricated, misleading, and desperate.
Muyizzi told court that the application relies on uncertified tally sheets and questionable declaration forms, warning that opening ballot boxes based on such evidence would amount to a dangerous fishing expedition.
He further argued that the numbers already reconcile perfectly — valid votes, invalid votes, unused ballots, and ballot papers delivered — leaving no mathematical room for Nameere’s alleged missing votes.
In a stunning claim, Muyizzi suggested that Nameere may have manufactured declaration forms and ballot papers in a bid to snatch a victory she never earned, urging court to dismiss the case outright.
Court Drama Continues
Earlier, Nalubowa’s lawyers had attempted to block the case on technical grounds, arguing it was filed out of time. But Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe overruled the objection, stating that the legal deadline had not yet expired.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the magistrate said the court needs time to carefully examine the arguments before making a decision.
A ruling on whether a recount will be allowed is expected Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Nalubowa has raised fresh concerns over the safety of ballot boxes and election materials, alleging they have been guarded by armed operatives at the Electoral Commission under unclear circumstances. She also noted that the returning officer at the center of the controversy has since been transferred.
The Electoral Commission had earlier declared Rose Nalubowa of the National Unity Platform (NUP) as the winner with 25,443 votes, beating Nameere’s 20,324 votes.
The incumbent MP, Juliet Kakanda of the Democratic Front, trailed far behind with 6,343 votes.
But Nameere says the numbers don’t tell the real story.
“My Votes Were Quietly Deleted”
In her court application, Nameere accuses the returning officer of intentionally omitting results from polling stations where she allegedly won by landslide margins. She insists the exclusions significantly altered the final outcome.
According to the Electoral Commission, results from at least seven polling stations were cancelled after officials discovered that vote totals exceeded registered voters and that some declaration forms contained crossed or inconsistent figures. These cancellations followed complaints from rival candidates who questioned the authenticity of the documents.
However, Nameere’s legal team, led by Anthony Baziira, argues that the explanation doesn’t add up.
They claim the returning officer failed to tally results from all 314 polling stations in Masaka City and deliberately excluded at least 11 polling stations where Nameere reportedly enjoyed overwhelming support.
Nameere has submitted cancelled declaration of results forms to court, arguing that their removal conveniently benefited the NUP candidate while slashing her own tally.
She further claims that the alleged irregularities cost her over 5,000 votes — votes that would have handed her a clear victory.
“We have spoken to all presiding officers from the affected polling stations, and they have confirmed on record that voting took place and results were transmitted without any irregularities,” her application reads in part.
Nalubowa Fires Back: “This Is a Fishing Expedition”
Nalubowa, now Masaka City’s Woman MP-elect, is having none of it.
Through her lawyers led by Samuel Muyizzi, she has vehemently opposed the recount application, dismissing Nameere’s claims as fabricated, misleading, and desperate.
Muyizzi told court that the application relies on uncertified tally sheets and questionable declaration forms, warning that opening ballot boxes based on such evidence would amount to a dangerous fishing expedition.
He further argued that the numbers already reconcile perfectly — valid votes, invalid votes, unused ballots, and ballot papers delivered — leaving no mathematical room for Nameere’s alleged missing votes.
In a stunning claim, Muyizzi suggested that Nameere may have manufactured declaration forms and ballot papers in a bid to snatch a victory she never earned, urging court to dismiss the case outright.
Court Drama Continues
Earlier, Nalubowa’s lawyers had attempted to block the case on technical grounds, arguing it was filed out of time. But Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe overruled the objection, stating that the legal deadline had not yet expired.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the magistrate said the court needs time to carefully examine the arguments before making a decision.
A ruling on whether a recount will be allowed is expected Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Nalubowa has raised fresh concerns over the safety of ballot boxes and election materials, alleging they have been guarded by armed operatives at the Electoral Commission under unclear circumstances. She also noted that the returning officer at the center of the controversy has since been transferred.
