NRM tribunal upholds Wakida’s win, Katooko secures Kibuku flag
Led by John Musiime, the tribunal, in a ruling dated August 16, 2025, found no credible evidence that irregularities had influenced the final results. It confirmed both Wakida and Katooko as duly nominated flag bearers.
Dr Patrick Godfrey Wakida has revealed that lack of strategy and ideologies forced him out of opposition to join President Yoweri Museveni's NRM. (Photo By Javier Silas Omagor)
By Javier Silas Omagor
Journalists @New Vision
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The NRM Election Disputes Tribunal has upheld the victories of Dr Patrick Godfrey Wakida and Sylvia Katooko Damba, confirming them as the ruling party’s flag bearers for Kabweri County and Kibuku Woman MP, respectively.
The NRM primaries in Kabweri County shook Kibuku’s political landscape when Dr Wakida, a former FDC strategist turned NRM contender, defeated incumbent Stephen Mugole Mauku, securing an estimated 87% of village-level votes.
At the same time, Sylvia Katooko Damba triumphed after unseating Bunyoro affairs state minister Jenipher Namuyangu Kacha.
Tribunal affirms results, rejects petitions
Incumbents Mugole and Namuyangu challenged the results, petitioning the NRM Elections Disputes Tribunal. They alleged vote tampering, bribery, multiple voting, and falsification of results across polling stations such as Kadoto, Buyemba B, and Nakibwe.
The tribunal examined whether electoral irregularities occurred in violation of NRM election guidelines, whether such irregularities substantially affected the outcome, and whether the petitioners were entitled to any remedies.
Mugole also claimed in his affidavit that Wakida defamed him during the campaigns. However, the tribunal ruled against this, stating that the incumbent had not demonstrated how the alleged defamation influenced the election outcome. The claims were dismissed the petition for lacking substance and sufficient evidence.
Led by John Musiime, the tribunal, in a ruling dated August 16, 2025, found no credible evidence that irregularities had influenced the final results. It confirmed both Wakida and Katooko as duly nominated flag bearers.
Unity and service over conflict
In his victory interview with New Vision on Sunday, August 17, Wakida expressed gratitude: "I thank God and the people of Kabweri for overwhelmingly choosing me over the petitioners."
“The people of Kabweri County made their voice loud and clear. Their choice is quality service delivery, and they see that in my manifesto," Dr Wakida said.
"Whoever challenged their choice is an enemy of those voters. It is time we joined hands and focused on service, not on internal squabbles within the mighty NRM party in Kibuku.”
Primary showdown
On June 17, as the NRM primaries concluded, Kibuku district returning officer Mohamad Mwanika declared Dr Wakida the winner in Kabweri County with 26,880 votes.
The incumbent, Stephen Mugole Mauku, finished with 12,248, while Keith Kawugule secured only 47 votes.
Meanwhile, minister Namuyangu, who garnered 19,448 votes, lost to Katooko, who polled 42,994.
Dr Patrick Wakida’s rise from opposition strategist to NRM flag bearer, now validated by the tribunal, could highlight the shifting dynamics of Ugandan politics, particularly in Bukedi.
Wakida, whose campaign emphasised service delivery and community-focused development, told New Vision that his victory reflects a growing voter preference for results-oriented leadership over rhetoric.
A few months ago, President Yoweri Museveni described Wakida as "a big catch for the NRM" when welcoming him into the ruling party.