The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is reportedly considering taking legal action to challenge the election victory of National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Joan Namutaawe in the Masaka District Woman Member of Parliament race.
Sources in Greater Masaka say discussions are already ongoing among some NRM officials and supporters about filing an election petition to overturn Namutaawe’s win.
Namutaawe defeated NRM’s Joanita Nalule in the January 16 polls by a narrow margin of about 500 votes after she secured 16,640 votes.
The talks come shortly after Justine Nameere was gazetted as Masaka City Woman MP following a court decision that overturned the earlier election result.
An NRM supporter in Masaka said the party should use the same legal path that worked in the city.
“Our candidate was the rightful winner. If justice could be served in the city, why not in the district?” the supporter said.
However, not everyone within the ruling party supports the move.
A senior NRM mobiliser in Greater Masaka warned that going to court without strong evidence could harm the party.
“Masaka has been a difficult area for us. If we look like we are fighting the people’s decision without solid proof, we will lose more support,” the mobiliser said.
“If there are genuine legal grounds, let them be followed. But if this is just about taking back the seat, it could divide the party.”
By press time, no election petition had been officially filed in court challenging Namutaawe’s victory.
Both Namutaawe and Nalule could not be reached for comment, while officials at the NRM secretariat said they were not aware of any official party plan to challenge the Masaka District results.
Political analysts say any attempt to overturn the opposition’s narrow win in Masaka could raise political tensions in a region that strongly supports NUP.
With the Nameere court ruling still fresh, many in Masaka are now watching closely to see whether the district race will also end up in court.
