By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
BUKEDEA
Opposition have criticized the electoral commission decision to delete names of three candidates challenging speaker ANITAH Among in the Bukedea district woman member of parliament seat.
The three are Alupo Mercy Marion (NUP), Norma Susan Otai (FDC), and Akol Hellen Odeke (independent), they were allegedly struck off the National Voter’s Register on grounds of origin and residence.
On Monday, the EC through its Secretary Richard Kamugisha Baabo filed an affidavit to the High Court defending their tribunal officials upholding their recommendations to block the trio from contesting against Among on grounds of origin and residence.
The followed a May 2025 decision by the parish council chairpersons tribunal recommending the deletion.
“After receiving returns from our returning officers in Bukedea, the commission recommended for the deletion of the three respondents on grounds of origin and residence,” Baabo told court.
He noted that the trio was invited to a review meeting on October 2, on proceedings arising from the recommendations of the parish tribunal and were asked to challenge the recommendations something they didn’t do.
“Hellen Odeke withdrew saying she didn’t wish to challenge the decision of the tribunal,” EC claimed. Baabo further noted that a 10 days natural justice period was given to the affected persons and no evidence was presented challenging the recommendations, promoting the commission to uphold the decision of the parish tribunal.
“The commission therefore, upheld the decisions of the parish tribunals based on the evidence adduced by the parties,” Baabo stated.
However, the move has been outrightly rejected by opposition leaders who described it as a deliberate scheme to shield Among from electoral competition in Bukedea.
NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, condemned the move, describing it as “unprecedented impunity” and warning that the country was sliding into dangerous political criminality.
The Bugabula North MP aspirant, Francis Adepo says the decision is a “brazen electoral robbery” and deliberate, illegal erasure of women who dared challenge Anita Among.
“This is not administration, it is state-sponsored political murder of democracy.”
He said the EC has lost every scrap of legitimacy warning that they will take legal action and expose every official involved as well as mobilizing mass peaceful street protests and civil disobedience across Bukedea.
The FDC Youth Leader also threatened to organize boycott of all activities supervised by this Electoral Commission, and demanded international monitoring.
“Prepare to rise. We will not be erased. We will not be intimidated. Those who steal our votes and silence our women will pay the political price,” Adepo said calling for targeted sanctions and scrutiny on EC officials involved in undemocratic behaviors.
Meanwhile, Justice Simon Peter Kinobe, the judge who was assigned to hearing of this case, has set October 27, as the date he will deliver a ruling on the matter, urging all parties to complete submissions before the ruling date to allow court determine whether the trio can proceed to nomination for Bukedea Woman MP, or let Speaker Among run unopposed.
