Mbwatekamwa is the current Igara West Member of Parliament
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Louis Gafa Mbwatekamwa’s name will not appear on the ballot paper for Mbarara City Mayor, come the next election, Habari Daily has learn’t.
This followed the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to nullify his nomination, citing ineligibility due to lack of legal residency requirements to contest for the position. The accused was the Igara West Member of Parliament in the 11th Parliament.
Gafa Mbwatekamwa at the Electoral Commission offices “We have since established that Mbwatekamwa was originally a registered voter and resident of Gongo Village, Kyamuhunga Ward, Kyamuhunga Town Council, Igara County West in Bushenyi District. He is therefore ineligible to run for the seat,” reads the letter from the EC
The letter, dated October 23, 2025, and addressed to M/s Mujurizi & Tumwesigye Advocates, the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, cited irregularities in Mbwatekamwa’s nomination.
“The Commission acted on a complaint filed on September 5, 2025, which challenged Mbwatekamwa’s eligibility to run for the Mbarara mayoral seat,” the letter further read.
Following a hearing on September 18, the EC said that the nomination was nullified by the Commission over residency irregularities.
According to the EC, during the update of the National Voters Register, Mbwatekamwa submitted documents claiming residency in Mbaguta Village, Ruharo Parish, Mbarara City, to justify his voter transfer.
However, the Chairperson of Mbaguta Village refuted the claim, stating that Mbwatekamwa was not a resident of the area.
The Commission noted that the MP failed to produce satisfactory proof of ordinary residence in Mbarara City as required under Section 12(2)(b) of the Local Governments Act (Cap. 138).
“Accordingly, the decision of the Returning Officer, Mbarara City Electoral District, nominating Candidate Mbwatekamwa Gaffa, is hereby reversed.”
The letter was copied to both the Returning Officer of Mbarara City and the candidate himself.
Speaking shortly after the EC’s ruling, Mbwatekamwa said he would not appeal the decision, nor contest, arguing that there is “no fairness or justice in Ugandan courts.
He said that he will just wait for five years and come back. I’ll repackage myself and contest for any position when the time is right,” he noted.
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