The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified Louis Mbwatekamwa Gaffa from the Mbarara City mayoral race over questions surrounding his residency.
Mbwatekamwa, who was nominated on September 3 after reportedly meeting all the required conditions, faced a petition from concerned Mbarara City residents represented by M/s Mujurizi and Tumwesigye Advocates. The petitioners accused him of not being an eligible candidate since he is allegedly not a resident of Mbarara City.
In a letter dated October 23, 2025, addressed to the petitioners’ lawyers and signed by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Commission noted that Mbwatekamwa was previously a registered voter in Gongo Village, Igara West, Bushenyi District.
However, during his nomination for the Mbarara City mayoral seat, he declared that he was a resident of Mbaguta Village in Ruharo Parish. “During the update of the National Voters Register, Mbwatekamwa presented evidence indicating his village of residence, for purposes of transfer of polling station, as Mbaguta Village/Zone in Ruharo Parish,” the letter reads in part.
Justice Byabakama stated that during the Commission’s verification process, the Chairperson of Ruharo Parish refuted Mbwatekamwa’s claim of residency, asserting that he was not a resident of Mbaguta Village/Zone and therefore was not eligible to register as a voter there.
The EC further revealed that although Mbwatekamwa appeared before the Commission during the hearing of the complaint, he failed to provide satisfactory evidence to prove that he is ordinarily resident in Mbarara City or District, as required under Section 12(2)(b) of the Local Governments Act (Cap. 138).
Consequently, the Commission, in its meeting held on October 2, 2025, resolved that Mbwatekamwa was not eligible for nomination as Mbarara City Mayor for failing to comply with the law. The EC therefore reversed the decision of the Mbarara City Returning Officer that had earlier cleared his nomination.
When contacted for a comment, Mbwatekamwa said he was unaware of the EC’s decision and questioned the authenticity of the letter. “I have not seen the said letter, and I’m not aware of its author. The version circulating doesn’t have a heading or full address, only the last page,” he said, adding that his residence is not in Mbaguta Village as indicated in the letter but in Nyakabungo Village. He said that he was making arrangements to reach out to the Electoral Commission Registrar in Mbarara for Clarity.
This marks the second time Mbwatekamwa has faced disqualification from an electoral contest. Earlier, he was blocked from participating in the NRM party primaries but went on to announce his intention to run as an independent candidate shortly after incumbent Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi was declared the NRM flag bearer by the party’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi.
Before his disqualification, Mbwatekamwa was preparing to contest against four other candidates: incumbent Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi (NRM), Mark Itogoro Nyabihemu (NUP), Stanley Katambeyi (PFF), and Eng. Mweteise Bitabara, an independent candidate.
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