Kiyimba loses NRM Youth League Eastern region seat over age

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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has nullified the election of Rakibu Kiyimba as the Youth League vice-chairperson, Eastern Region.

Accordingly, the tribunal declared his rival, Ome Samuel Omaria, as the duly elected vice-chairperson, having polled 829 votes.

The tribunal, presided over by Chairperson John Musiime delivered the ruling on October 14, in the presence of lawyer Emmanuel Ekima, who represented Omaria and lawyer Richard Agaba, who represented Kiyimba.

Musiime was assisted by Anthony Bazira (Panel Head) and members Blair Atwebembeire and Ampaire Tumwebaze.

“The petition is hereby allowed. The declaration of Kiyimba, as the duly elected Vice Chairperson, Eastern Region, NRM Youth League is hereby set aside,” Musiime ruled.

According to the Tribunal, the decision shall be certified to the NRM electoral commission which, shall by notice, declare Omaria, the duly elected vice-chairperson eastern region, NRM Youth League, with effect from the date of the ruling.

The ruling followed a petition filed by Omaria, who was challenging Kiyimba’s election victory on grounds that he was above the prescribed age limit at the time of nomination and therefore ineligible to contest for the position.

Omaria argued that having been born on June 13, 1990, Kiyimba was under the NRM Election Regulations 2025 restrict from being nominated because the NRM constitution allows youth below 35 years for the position.

The tribunal ruled that Omaria adduced documentary evidence, including Kiyimba’s national identity card and voter information slip, both of which show that he was born on June 13, 1990.

“It is not disputed that nominations took place on July 2, 2025, by which time Kiyimba was 35 years and 19 days old,” Musiime ruled.

The Tribunal observed that to include persons who have already attained 35 years would defeat the object of setting an age limit and create an overlap between youth and adult categories.

The Tribunal noted that Kiyimba’s reliance on the NRM Electoral Commission's clarification letter and the administrative guideline using the phrase “18-35” is misconceived.

“The Tribunal accordingly finds that Kiyimba’s nomination and election were unlawful, having been conducted in contravention of the NRM Constitution and the NRM Election Regulations, 2025,” Musiime ruled.

The Tribunal also ruled that the non-compliance in the case substantially affected the outcome of the election.

“The result cannot stand because it produced a winner who was not qualified under the governing Regulations. Accordingly, the election of Kiyimba as Vice Chairperson, Eastern Region, NRM Youth League is null and void for non-compliance with the mandatory age eligibility requirement,” Musiime ruled.

The evidence before the Tribunal shows that, excluding Kiyimba’s invalid candidature, Omaria emerged second with 829 votes, representing 30.7% of the total votes cast, the highest valid tally among eligible candidates.

“There is no evidence that any other qualified candidate polled a higher number of votes. The Tribunal is therefore satisfied that, upon excluding the ineligible candidate, Omaria secured the majority of lawful votes and is entitled to be declared the duly elected Vice Chairperson, Eastern Region, NRM Youth League,” Musiime noted.