Emotions ran high at the Electoral Commission (EC) offices on Tuesday after opposition candidates were left heartbroken when the commission declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Yasini Omari unopposed in the Makindye Division mayoral race.
The declaration followed the disqualification of 11 candidates who had been cleared earlier to contest for the influential Kampala division seat.
The EC said the affected candidates failed to meet nomination requirements after it emerged that the signatures they submitted in support of their candidatures were invalid.
Moments after the announcement, scenes of distress unfolded at the EC offices as several opposition aspirants openly wept, with some reportedly asking for water after being overwhelmed by shock and disappointment.
The candidates, drawn from different political parties including the National Unity Platform (NUP), People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), JEEMA, and other groups, said the decision had shattered their hopes of participating in the 2026 local government elections.
“This is very painful. We followed the process and did everything required of us,” one of the disqualified candidates said, accusing the commission of unfairly locking out opposition contenders.
The EC, however, defended its decision, stating that verification of nomination signatures is a legal requirement and that all aspirants were informed in advance about the standards to be met. Officials maintained that the commission acted within the law and applied the rules uniformly.
With all challengers knocked out, Omari was consequently declared unopposed, clearing his path to another term as Makindye Division mayor without facing a vote on polling day.
The development has sparked criticism from opposition supporters and civil society actors, who argue that the disqualifications raise serious questions about electoral inclusiveness and competitiveness in urban Kampala. Some have called on the EC to review its nomination processes to prevent similar outcomes in future elections.
Makindye Division is considered one of Kampala’s politically active areas, and the unopposed victory by an NRM candidate has added to growing debate over the state of electoral competition as the country edges closer to the 2026 general elections.
