NUP candidate misses EC nomination in Kyegegwa over insufficient signatures

6 September 2025, 22:08

By Kyalisiima Asuman

The nomination of National Unity Platform candidate Mworozi Stephen to contest the LC5 seat in Kyegegwa remains in suspense after he failed to acquire the mandatory signatures.

At exactly 9:00 pm on Friday, 5 August this year, Mworozi Stephen was still at the nomination centre of the Independent Electoral Commission in Kyegegwa town council, being assisted by EC staff to enter the particulars of the voters who had signed for him into the system.

As required by electoral guidelines, Mworozi Stephen was mandated to collect 650 signatures, which meant obtaining 50 registered voters from each of the 13 subcounties, covering two-thirds of the district’s electoral areas.

However, after failing to secure the required signatures, he was advised by the district returning officer, Kyegegwa, Nicholas Asiimwe, to seek permission from the EC headquarters to continue collecting signatures. If granted, he could be nominated on 6 August.

Mworozi attributed his failure to be nominated to a lack of civic education for candidates, particularly by the Electoral Commission.

Before all this transpired, the Returning Officer, Nicholas Asiimwe, declared Norman Birungi, the NRM district flag bearer for Kyegegwa, as the fully nominated candidate.

Speaking to our reporter after his nomination, Norman Birungi, accompanied by some of his supporters, including Shaban Kamanyire, Chairperson of LCI Kamutuutu, emphasised the need for equal service delivery if given the mandate in the forthcoming election.

Other candidates declared by the Returning Officer as duly nominated include Turyamushemererwa Mandera, contesting the Kyegegwa district chairperson seat on the FDC ticket, as well as other candidates vying for district councillor positions.

Following their declarations, they immediately began mobilising support for the 2026 general elections.