By Eye Media Uganda | Sunday August 17, 2025
Former Presidency Minister Esther Mbayo’s hopes of clawing her way back to Parliament were left in tatters yesterday after the NRM Election Disputes Tribunal dismissed her petition and instead upheld Nabirye Annet’s overwhelming victory, branding the poll free, fair and a true reflection of Luuka’s will.
In a ruling dated 15th August 2025 and signed by tribunal chairperson John Musiime, the three-member panel held that Mbayo failed to adduce sufficient proof to support grave allegations of ballot stuffing, voter bribery, intimidation, alteration of declaration forms, disenfranchisement and use of state machinery to influence the July 17th vote.
Mbayo had garnered 8,986 votes against Annet’s landslide 38,186 and was seeking nullification of the winner’s declaration and a declaration of herself as flag bearer. The tribunal, however, affirmed that the primary election was “conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the NRM Election Regulations”, noting that any irregularities cited were minor, isolated and incapable of overturning Annet’s overwhelming margin.
Quoting the Supreme Court in Besigye vs Museveni, the panel stated that to succeed, a petitioner must show that non-compliance affected the result in a substantial manner, which Mbayo failed to demonstrate.
“The Petitioner failed to satisfy the Tribunal with evidence that would in essence impact the massive votes garnered by the Respondent,” the ruling reads in part, adding that the tribunal “finds no sufficient basis to nullify the election of Ms. Nabirye Annet.”
In a tone that appeared to praise Nabirye’s political muscle, the tribunal noted that not only did she enjoy a commanding lead of 69% to Mbayo’s 14%, but also that the conduct of voting across the district was fundamentally fair and reflected the free choice of Luuka voters.
Consequently, the tribunal dismissed Mbayo’s petition and upheld Annet as the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Luuka District Woman Member of Parliament.
Political observers say the verdict dents Mbayo’s hopes of reclaiming the NRM ticket but further elevates Nabirye’s stature as “Luuka’s iron lady” who has fought her way through the ranks to become the new face of Busoga women politics.
Speaking shortly after the ruling, jubilant Nabirye supporters, some chanting “Mama wa Luuka”, hailed her as a true grassroots mobiliser whose “good heart, humility and pro-people approach” has endeared her to party members across the district.
With the tribunal dust settled, focus now turns to 2026 where Annet is tipped to give opposition forces a bloody nose as she guns for her maiden Parliament term under a ruling party whose internal court has loudly stamped its trust in her popular mandate.
