Kabugho Marilyn Petitions NRM Elections Tribunal, But Is Her Case Already Dead on Arrival?

By Hason Mutunzi Bwambale

KASESE – A petition filed by Kabugho Marilyn challenging the outcome of the recent NRM party primaries in Kasese District is set for hearing by the NRM Elections Tribunal on dates between July 29, 2025 and 1st September, 2025. But as the dust begins to settle, political observers and legal analysts are already questioning the strength — or lack thereof — of Marilyn’s case, pointing to inconsistencies, contradictions, and a lack of substantial evidence.

In her petition, Kabugho Marilyn’s core prayer is for a complete nullification of the election results and the holding of a fresh election. In the alternative, she seeks four remedies: a vote recount, the setting aside of the declared winner, her own declaration as the rightful winner, and “any other remedy that is deems fir by the tribunal” — a telling typographical error that some critics say symbolically reflects the overall sloppiness of her case.
Contradictions in Tally Figures
One of the most glaring weaknesses in the petition lies in the contradictory vote margins Marilyn presents. In one part of the document, she claims that after collecting all her DR Forms (Declaration of Results), she emerged the winner by a margin of 282 votes. Yet elsewhere, she asserts that before collecting all DR Forms, her “tally told her” she had won by 1,099 votes.

This internal contradiction raises questions about the reliability of her tallying process and whether the petition is based on verified figures or speculative assumptions. Legal experts point out that the admission of changing numbers — especially one that reduces a lead by over 800 votes — could severely undermine the credibility of her entire claim.
“She either did not have all her results and made a premature claim of victory, or she did have them and then produced a reduced margin. Either way, the confusion makes her case appear unstable and speculative,” noted one lawyer familiar with NRM’s internal dispute processes.

Lack of Substantial Evidence
Beyond the conflicting vote margins, the petition is reportedly thin on hard evidence. Marilyn fails to detail which specific polling stations had irregularities or fraud, nor does she attach affidavits from polling agents, witnesses, or voters. There is also no direct allegation of rigging, or misconduct by the electoral officers — common grounds upon which successful election petitions are typically built.
The absence of such key elements may lead the tribunal to conclude that the petition lacks the “substantiality” threshold required to warrant a nullification or overturning of results.

Legal Burden and Precedent
The NRM Elections Tribunal has historically held a high threshold for overturning primary results, especially when a petitioner is unable to demonstrate that any irregularities directly affected the final outcome. A speculative or emotional appeal — no matter how passionate — is unlikely to yield any of the remedies sought unless backed by compelling documentation.
“Intra-party election disputes must be built on more than mere dissatisfaction. You need documented violations of the electoral process,” said Dr. Henry Muhindo, a political analyst and legal scholar based in Fort Portal.
Impartial Tribunal Process

Despite the apparent weaknesses, the tribunal will proceed to hear the petitions starting on Monday, July 29, giving all petitioners including Marilyn an opportunity to argue her case. Observers say this is in line with the party’s commitment to internal democracy and due process, as emphasized by President Yoweri Museveni when he announced the formation of the tribunal earlier this year.
While it appears Marilyn’s petition may be dead on arrival due to its factual inconsistencies and evidentiary gaps, the tribunal’s impartial platform will allow her to present her arguments — however thin they may be — before a decision is rendered.

As the NRM continues to manage internal disputes amid growing competition in local politics, the tribunal’s decision on this case will likely set the tone for how seriously future petitions are prepared — and scrutinized.

Hason Mutunzi Bwambale is a political affairs writer born and raised in Kasese but currently based in Central Uganda.