In a stunning last-minute twist just hours before the official nomination of parliamentary candidates, the High Court has thrown out the National Resistance Movement (NRM) tribunal’s decision and reinstated Paul Akamba as the rightful party flagbearer for Busiki County.
Justice Collins Acellam, delivering a blistering verdict, ruled that the tribunal’s earlier declaration of Joel Waiswa Azalwa as the NRM candidate was “null and void” citing illegality, procedural impropriety, irregularities, irrationality, and a gross violation of natural justice.
The ruling follows a judicial review filed by incumbent MP Akamba, who argued that he was lawfully declared winner of the NRM primaries held on July 18, 2025, with 34,265 votes, before a controversial about-face the following day saw the same registrar declare Azalwa winner with 35,249 votes, a reversal that the judge said the registrar had no legal authority to make.
“The District Registrar violated the applicant’s right to a fair hearing by declaring the second respondent (Azalwa) without giving Akamba a chance to know why his victory was cancelled,” ruled Justice Acellam.
“The decision to rescind the applicant’s victory affects his rights and those of his supporters to choose a leader of their choice.”
A tale of two results
Court records show the confusion stemmed from a series of contradicting vote tallies and accusations of forged results, including alleged returns from non-existent polling stations like Kangulumo Zone A, Isegero, and Nakawunzo.
Akamba also claimed that the party’s tribunal re-tallied votes without notifying or involving him, violating his rights and skewing the outcome in Azalwa’s favour.
“Even if the registrar had the power to re-tally, doing so without hearing from Akamba was procedurally improper,” the judge stated.
NRM tribunal backtracks
In an ironic twist, the NRM Elections Disputes Tribunal itself reversed its own ruling and reinstated Akamba as flagbearer on October 14, 2025, just days before the High Court ruling, raising eyebrows about the timing.
NRM Legal Director Oscar Kihika Barata tolda local news agency that the reversal was a coincidence, prompted by a legal request from Akamba’s lawyers for the tribunal to review its decision.
Ordered to hand over flag
With the court siding firmly with Akamba, the judge issued a mandamus order compelling the NRM to immediately hand over the party flag, enabling him to register as the official party candidate in the October 22–23 parliamentary nominations.
In compliance, NRM Electoral Commission boss Dr. Tanga Odoi issued a formal notice to Secretary General Richard Todwong, confirming Azalwa’s declaration had been cancelled and that Paul Akamba is the party’s duly elected flagbearer.
The notice was copied to key district officials, including the RDC, district party chairperson, and electoral officers.
However, this ruling marks a major victory for Akamba and at the same time potential embarrassment for the NRM’s internal electoral machinery.
With the 2026 general elections fast approaching, the judgment raises fresh questions about transparency, procedural fairness, and the influence of internal power struggles within the ruling party.
For now, Akamba will be walking into the nomination room with the flag and party card, as the law, and the timing is on his side.
