The Electoral Commission has dismissed a petition challenging the academic qualifications and nomination of Bukimbiri County Member of Parliament candidate, Hon. Eddie Kwizera wa-Gahungu.
The petition was filed by fellow Bukimbiri County Candidate, Owebeyi James, under Section 15 of the Electoral Commission Act, Cap 176, contesting Kwizera’s nomination for Member of Parliament for Bukimbiri County, Kisoro District.
Owebeyi alleged that Kwizera did not submit the required Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) documents, and that there were inconsistencies in the names on his academic papers.
He further claimed that Kwizera’s official agent, Kajubwani Atanazius, and the 10 supporters who endorsed his nomination did not personally sign the nomination forms, alleging the signatures appeared to have been written by one person.
In his defence, Hon. Kwizera denied the allegations and maintained that he submitted all the required academic qualifications to the Electoral Commission. After hearing submissions from both parties and reviewing affidavits from Kwizera and his agent Kajubwani, the Commission made several key findings.
The Electoral Commission established that Kwizera presented his UCE and UACE documents, letters of verification from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
These qualifications appeared in different name formats, including Kwizera Eddie, Kwizera Edward Julius A, Edward Julius Kwizera, Edward Julius Aggrey Kwizera and Eddie Kwizera wa-Gahungu. However, the Commission further noted that Kwizera had executed a Deed Poll formally renouncing his previous name variations and adopting “Eddie Kwizera wa-Gahungu” as his official name.
On the issue of nomination signatures, the Commission observed that Kajubwani Atanazius swore an affidavit confirming that he personally signed the nomination papers as Kwizera’s official agent. Regarding the 10 supporters, the Commission noted that while Owebeyi alleged they did not sign the forms themselves, he did not provide concrete evidence to back up this claim beyond mere assertions.
“Based on the above observations, the Commission established that Kwizera Eddie wa-Gahungu presented the requisite academic qualifications for his nomination together with a Deed Poll that formally and legally declared a change of his names,” reads part of the decision.
Consequently, under MIN.COMP/053/2025, dated 18th November 2025, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission ruled that Owebeyi’s petition lacked merit and dismissed it in its entirety, thereby upholding the nomination of Hon. Eddie Kwizera wa-Gahungu as a duly nominated candidate for Member of Parliament, Bukimbiri County.
