Bobi Wine to order fresh elections in constituencies with unopposed candidates

NUP leader Bobi Wine has vowed that a future government under his leadership will order fresh elections (byelections) in constituencies where candidates were declared unopposed by the Electoral Commission (EC). 

Bobi Wine claims that the EC “conspired” with ruling party figures — including Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, her deputy Thomas Tayebwa, Vice President Jessica Alupo, and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija — to ensure that their opponents were removed from the race, thereby undermining the democratic process. 

He told reporters that many opposition candidates were removed from the race because the ruling establishment feared defeat. 

“We have had so many people being denominated because the government knows they are heading for a resounding defeat. In 2021 we defeated so many ministers including the Vice President; that is why many of them including the speaker of parliament have ensured that all their contenders are denominated,” he said.

Wine argued that restoring the rule of law would require rerunning elections in areas where voters were denied a genuine choice. 

“We continue to assert that once the rule of law is restored, we shall have by-elections in all these constituencies so that the people of Uganda get the opportunity to choose their own leaders as per the law.”

The controversy centres on numerous high-profile politicians who have been declared unopposed ahead of the polls, a development that has raised eyebrows both domestically and internationally. 

Among those already declared elected without contest are Speaker Anita Among (Bukedea District Woman MP), Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (Ruhinda North legislator), and Vice President Jessica Alupo (Katakwi District Woman MP), all of whom faced no challengers after rivals either withdrew or were disqualified. 

The EC’s actions have led to debates about electoral integrity, with critics suggesting that the dominance of certain figures — particularly from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) — skews competition. 

In some cases, such as the declaration of Minister Phiona Nyamutoro for the Nebbi Woman MP seat following the nullification of her opponent’s nomination, observers say legal technicalities have played a significant role in shaping the candidate lists.