NRM sets five-day deadline for filing petitions from party primaries

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has issued guidelines for filing and determining election petitions arising from its primary elections for Parliamentary and Constituency flag-bearer positions. The directive, outlined in a statement by Enoch Barata, the NRM Director of Legal Services and Former Chairperson of the NRM Election Tribunal, specifies that anyone aggrieved by the results must file a petition within five days from the announcement of the results.

Uganda’s ruling party, in power for nearly 40 years, will hold internal elections starting at 10:00 AM on Thursday to select flag bearers for District Woman MP and Direct Constituency MP positions. These candidates will later face off against candidates from other political parties in the 2026 general elections. Elections for Local Government Leaders—such as LC5 Chairpersons, Mayors, and Councillors—will follow on July 24th, 2025.

According to Barata’s statement, all election petitions must be filed with the Office of the Director of Legal Services, in line with the NRM Election Regulations of 2025 approved by the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC). Petitioners are required to submit three copies of the petition and all supporting documents. One copy will be retained by the Directorate, and the other two will be returned to the petitioner.

The petitioner is responsible for serving one of these copies to the respondent—the candidate whose election is being contested. The Directorate will also notify the respondent using the contact details provided during nomination. Barata clarified that only two categories of people are eligible to file a petition: a candidate who loses in a primary election or a registered voter in the constituency where the election occurred, supported by the signatures of at least fifty other registered voters.

Barata emphasised that all petitions must be filed within five days of the declaration of results by the NRM Electoral Commission, including weekends. Once filed, the petition must be served on the respondent within two days. The respondent then has five days to submit a response. Service can be conducted via email or other verifiable electronic means. Petitions will be heard by the NRM Election Disputes Tribunal.

The Tribunal will schedule a hearing date and notify all involved parties. It is expected to resolve the petition within seven days of the hearing date and issue a ruling in writing. If additional time is required for investigations, Barata informed Uganda Radio Network that the Tribunal will communicate this to the involved parties and ensure there are no unnecessary delays.

The statement also notes that an election may be overturned if there is proof of non-compliance with the NRM Constitution or election regulations that substantially affected the outcome, if another candidate is proven to have won, or if the declared winner was unqualified or disqualified at the time of the election. These grounds must be established on a balance of probabilities.

The statement, addressed to all aspirants, was also copied to the NRM Secretary General, the Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, and all Commissioners. Barata has, however, urged all aspirants to maintain a peaceful election process and avoid engaging in violence. He expects fewer complaints this time, as some of the common issues raised in previous petitions have already been addressed.

The decision of the NRM Election Tribunal is final in matters of internal elections. However, anyone dissatisfied with the decision may challenge it through judicial review in the Courts of Judicature.