By BM
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has officially begun issuing rulings on a series of petitions arising from the party’s recently concluded and contentious parliamentary primaries.
The move marks a significant phase in resolving internal disputes that have threatened to destabilize the party ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Speaking to the press, Enock Barata, the Director of Legal Services at the NRM Secretariat, confirmed that the party’s internal tribunal has started delivering verdicts to both petitioners and respondents.
Rulings are being sent via WhatsApp, email, and physical delivery where necessary, to ensure timely communication across all regions.
Tribunal Shift Focuses Beyond Parliament: Barata noted that the tribunal has concluded receiving and hearing all petitions related to the parliamentary primaries and is now turning its attention to district chairpersons and local councilor positions, which also faced significant disputes.
The tribunal began its formal sittings on July 29, 2025, shortly after the release of its first cause list on July 27. Due to the large volume of petitions received, a supplementary list was later published to accommodate additional complaints.
All cases, according to tribunal officials, are expected to be concluded by Tuesday, with the tribunal aiming to complete its work by September 1, 2025.
Multiple Channels for Notification: To ensure fairness and transparency, petitioners are granted a seven-day window within which they will start receiving their rulings. Barata explained that, under the 2025 Guidelines for Filing and Handling Election Petitions, each petitioner is required to serve a copy of their complaint to the respondent.
In addition, the tribunal itself notifies respondents using mainstream media, electronic communication, and direct phone calls, provided contact information was submitted during the nomination period.
Tribunal Structure and Appointments: In a bid to ensure impartiality and professionalism, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM Party Chairman, appointed John Musiime and 28 other experienced lawyers to handle the tribunal process.
This decision followed growing concerns over the potential conflict of interest surrounding Dr. Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, who had presided over the very primaries that are now under scrutiny.
To manage the large caseload efficiently, the tribunal has been divided into eight panels, each comprising legal professionals and NRM cadres with vast experience in electoral dispute resolution.
Barata also revealed that Dr. Tanga Odoi will release the full list of petitions, both filed and resolved by tomorrow, offering greater transparency and public accountability.
The NRM’s 2025 parliamentary primaries were marred by allegations of vote-rigging, ballot stuffing, candidate intimidation, and general mismanagement.
Several high-profile NRM figures, including ministers and long-serving MPs, filed formal complaints citing irregularities.
The volume and seriousness of the petitions prompted the party leadership to set up a dedicated legal tribunal separate from the electoral commission to investigate and adjudicate the disputes.
This tribunal is widely seen as a test of the party’s internal justice mechanisms and its commitment to upholding democratic values.
With the general elections fast approaching, how the party manages these disputes could significantly influence its internal cohesion, public credibility, and electoral performance.
As the rulings begin to go out, all eyes are now on how the affected candidates will react and whether the tribunal’s decisions will heal the party’s internal rifts or deepen them further. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
