An NRM candidate has been struck off the ballot for the Njumaga Cell chairperson election in Masaka City after the Electoral Commission ruled that he was still serving as a government employee.
Augustine Mukasa Luswata’s nomination was cancelled after electoral officials established that he remains an officer with the Uganda Prisons Service based at Masaka Main Prison.
Masaka City Returning Officer Joloba Hydary said the nomination should not have been approved because public officers are required to leave government service before contesting political office.
“As a public officer, the law does not allow you to hold two public offices at the same time,” the Returning Officer wrote.
The complaint was filed by NUP candidate Pellegrino Bikanyulo, the incumbent village chairperson seeking re-election.
The cancellation leaves Bikanyulo without an opponent.
Luswata did not comment after the decision.
Elsewhere, the Electoral Commission is examining another eligibility dispute after NUP candidate Mathias Bwanika challenged the nomination of NRM’s Deogratias Mulindwa in Mutuba-Musisi Gardens Cell.
Bwanika argues that Mulindwa cannot contest because he currently serves as Older Persons’ Councillor on the Nyendo-Mukungwe Division Council.
His petition relies on Section 29 of the Local Governments Act and includes Mulindwa’s oath of office sworn before the Masaka Chief Magistrate.
“I therefore request that he be disqualified since he was sworn in on 19th May 2026, as the attached oath of allegiance witnessed by the Masaka Chief Magistrate,” the petition reads.
Mulindwa insisted he accepted the nomination after being persuaded by residents and said he was unaware that the law prohibited him from contesting another elective position.
The Electoral Commission says it will issue a ruling before the close of the week.
The women’s and village council elections have attracted hundreds of contestants, with nearly 500 women candidates and seven LC I chairperson candidates already declared unopposed.
