By Kamwebaze Happiness Muteganda
A Kampala-based advocate has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) Tribunal challenging the nomination of all parliamentary candidates in Rushenyi County, Ntungamo District, over alleged gaps in verifying their academic qualifications.
John Kamurinde, a registered voter and resident of Kyobwe Ward, Rwentobo–Rwahi Town Council, filed the petition on November 7, 2025.
He cites Article 80(1)(c) of the 1995 Constitution (as amended) and Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which require a person seeking to be a Member of Parliament to have completed a minimum formal education of Advanced Level or its equivalent.
Relying on Articles 38(1) and 41(1) of the Constitution, Sections 2, 5, 6 and 10 of the Access to Information Act, 2005, and Regulation 3(8) of the Access to Information Regulations, 2011, Kamurinde argues that, as a voter in Rushenyi County, he is entitled to access information held by the EC regarding the academic qualifications of the candidates.
He wants the EC to release certified copies of the academic documents submitted by the Candidates that include, Hon. Naome Kabasharira (NRM), Nuwamanya Herbert Nyongozi (Independent), Mpumwire Magambo (Independent), Twine’ Mbabazi Kamugira (NUP) and Nuwamanya Barham (DF).
Kamurinde contends that releasing the documents will not prejudice national security or Uganda’s sovereignty, nor unduly infringe the candidates’ right to privacy, since the documents were voluntarily submitted as part of a public electoral process.
He further argues that it is in the interest of justice and transparency that his application be handled expeditiously, to allow him and other voters to verify whether the candidates meet the minimum academic requirements before making an informed choice at the polls.
The petition comes amid growing calls for openness and accountability in Uganda’s electoral processes, with an increasing number of voters turning to the Access to Information Act to scrutinise the eligibility of those seeking public office.
