“I agree with counsel for the Respondents that the “Nakawa West” Constituency and ” Nakawa Division West Constituency” are one and the same but often used interchangeably. It is also my observation that on page 27 of the Electronic file of the Petition, Form ND/UO, the Petitioner just like all candidates was also declared as a nominated directly elected member of parliament candidate to represent “Nakawa West” constituency. A constituency he claims does not exist. The Petitioner did not however raise that “anomaly” to the commission or to this court. Because then he would also not be nominated for Nakawa Division West constituency as he so avers. The control form of the Parties and all preceding documents in respect to the nomination indicate the constituency as Nakawa Division West. Thus, the clerical error was corrected and can not be held to cause confusion to anyone and most certainly not the Petitioner” (Bwowe Ivan v Electoral Commission and Others (Pre-Election Petition Appeal No. 5 of 2025) [2026] UGHCCD 5 (8 January 2026).
Today the ruling from judge Collins Acellam from the High Court in regards to Ivan Bwowe petition is dismissed and with reasonable doubt too. The ones supporting this petition and this court case is just foolish really. This was done to possibly block others from standing over a clerical error. That’s usually the technicalities that the Electoral Commission does on the opposition anyway and they find “errors” late to revoke their candidacy. They are even doing this a few days ahead of the polls. Not even trying to do it early after the nomination days of the candidates.
That’s why we know the Nakawa West race will be at least sincere, as the candidates still has to run and they have to compete to the end. This is an opposition stronghold and this was an opposition candidate trying to forge his way. As he wanted to bring down the National Unity Platform (NUP) and his chances of being the incumbent in this race. That’s it and it wasn’t even done cleverly.
That’s why the judge even came to this conclusion too:
“ln handling this Petition, this court shall prioritize the merits over formal procedural flaws and
technicalities. To allow the appeal this Court will be denying the voters of Nakawa Division West Constituency the opportunity of choosing their representative to parliament. To do so for the reasons advanced by the Appellant would have the effect of imposing on the voters of the Constituency the Appellant as their representative. Elective democracy requires that anyone seeking political office subjects himself/herself to the will of the electorate. A proper mandate is through the ballot box. This ensures that the people express their will, and this court cannot be seen to subvert the will of the people. The effort of the Appellant through this petition is an audacious attempt to sneak to parliament to represent a group of people whose mandate he has not obtained” (Bwowe Ivan v Electoral Commission and Others (Pre-Election Petition Appeal No. 5 of 2025) [2026] UGHCCD 5 (8 January 2026).
This writing is just really something when you know that several of candidates has lost their chance and is imposed on the voters. The Electoral Commission has already created several of people who are imposed on the voters. That’s been done deliberately and the judge here is explaining why that’s wrong. Alas, we know this won’t change the General Elections or anything. Only that there will be competition in the Nakawa West MP race. However, it is telling about the sentiment lingering out there.
Ivan Bwowe is a loser for doing this. This wasn’t done for the will of the people, but for his own self interests. He wanted to run and not to challenge anyone. The man wanted to be the big-man without the will of the people. That’s what he wanted, because just like the President. He cannot trust the will of the people and hoped the Courts would save his grace. However, it dismissed him and his petition. Peace.
MinBane 