KAMPALA MASAKA: 21 October 2026— High Court Judge Bernard Namanya has dismissed an election petition filed by National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Rose Nalubowa challenging the election of Hon. Justine Nameere as the Woman Member of Parliament for Masaka City.
In his ruling delivered electronically on October 21, 2026, Justice Namanya rejected Nalubowa’s prayers to overturn the election results and ordered the petitioner to pay the costs of the suit.
Following the court judgment, Minister of State for Local Government Justine Nameere issued a statement expressing gratitude for her victory, characterizing the legal outcome as a divine triumph over political adversaries and internal party saboteurs.
In paragraph 112 of the judgment, Justice Namanya detailed the court’s conclusions regarding the recount figures and contested vote totals:
Validity of Recount Figures: The court held that although the recount was conducted in non-compliance with electoral law following compromised electoral materials, the petitioner failed to prove that the recount figures certified by the Chief Magistrate were erroneous.
Impact of Excluded Votes: The judge noted that Nalubowa failed to establish that the exclusion of 1,353 actual votes cast by the electorate affected the election result in a substantial manner.
Mathematical Lead Preserved: Justice Namanya noted that even if all 1,353 excluded votes were added to Nalubowa’s certified tally of 23,176 votes, her total would rise to 24,529 votes. This would still leave Nameere’s tally of 25,502 votes ahead by a margin of 973 votes.
”Accordingly, the prayers to overturn the election and to declare the petitioner the duly elected winner are rejected,” Justice Namanya ruled. “The election petition is hereby dismissed. The petitioner, Nalubowa Rose, shall pay the costs of the petition.”
Reacting to the court’s verdict, Minister Nameere celebrated the outcome, describing it as a testament to perseverance against political intrigue.
”MY TESTIMONY: GOD HAS DONE IT! The Almighty Living God has shamed the devil! The Almighty Living God has defeated monitoring spirits… and every jealous enemy,” Nameere wrote.
Nameere asserted that despite attempts to undermine her mandate, she remained at peace throughout the legal process while her opponents were “lamenting because they knew they were losing.”
Nameere celebrates victory, lashes out at “enemies”
Reflecting on her journey since the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries, Nameere alleged that elements within her party teamed up with opposition figures to thwart her election bid.
”Mafias and thieves fought me since the NRM primaries, but the Almighty God defeated them,” she stated. “They ganged up, those hiding in NRM teamed up with dealers in NUP who peddle ‘commercial opportunistic opposition’… but God responded with fire!”
Thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: She thanked President Museveni for granting her “kind consideration” after learning the truth surrounding her political struggle in Masaka.
She also commended General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and leader of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), for ordering an ongoing investigation into political collusion in Masaka City between internal party actors and opposition figures.
Concluding her public message, Nameere—who also serves as Ssenga wa PLU and Commander 001 NRM Stooko Empya—encouraged young politicians to rely on faith when navigating political challenges:
”To all young people planning to join politics: Stick to ONLY and ONLY GOD! For in the presence of the Almighty God, every knee shall bow… NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL EVER PROSPER! (Isaiah 54:17).”
