By Eye Media Uganda | Kamuli | August 5, 2026
On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Electoral Commission and Kamuli District Local Government were petitioned to investigate and halt the candidature of former Kamuli District NRM Chairman Samuel Bamwole, who is contesting for LC II Chairperson of East Ward, Nawanyago Town Council, over allegations that he remains a serving public officer.
The petitions, filed by rival candidate Anthony Bandesee, seek investigations into Bamwole’s employment status and question his eligibility to contest for elective office while allegedly employed as a secondary school teacher under Kamuli District Local Government at Nalongo Seed Secondary School in Namwendwa Town Council.
In a petition addressed to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission through the Returning Officer for Nawanyago Town Council, Bandesee argues that Bamwole is still in active government service and may not have fulfilled the legal requirements governing public officers seeking elective political office.
The petitioner contends that the Electoral Commission has a duty to ensure that every nominated candidate satisfies the legal qualifications before being cleared to contest, warning that allowing an ineligible candidate to remain on the ballot would undermine the integrity, fairness and credibility of the electoral process.
Bandesee has asked the Electoral Commission to investigate Bamwole’s employment status, verify whether he complied with all legal requirements applicable to public officers seeking elective office, determine his eligibility to contest for LC II Chairperson, and take any action provided for under the Constitution, the Local Governments Act, the Electoral Commission Act, the Public Service Standing Orders and other applicable laws if any irregularities are established.
In a separate letter dated August 4, 2026, addressed to the Kamuli Chief Administrative Officer, the petitioner requested the district administration to confirm whether Bamwole is still employed by the local government, establish whether he lawfully resigned, retired or obtained the necessary clearance before joining elective politics, and take appropriate administrative action should any breach of the law be established.
Copies of the petitions were also sent to the Minister of Local Government, the Principal Human Resource Officer, the Resident District Commissioner and the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) for their attention.
As of the filing of the petitions, neither the Electoral Commission nor Kamuli District Local Government had publicly responded to the allegations, and Samuel Bamwole had not publicly commented on the claims. The allegations contained in the petitions remain unproven pending investigations and any official determination by the relevant authorities.
