The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified independent candidate Daniel Mulirire from the Budiope East parliamentary race in Buyende District, dealing a major blow to his bid to challenge incumbent MP Moses Magogo.
In a decision dated December 23, 2025, the EC annulled Mulirire’s nomination after a complaint was lodged questioning his eligibility to contest. The ruling was communicated through a letter written by EC lawyer Ibrahim Yeko and signed by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama.
According to the Commission, Mulirire, a former officer of the Uganda Police Force, failed to attach proof of resignation from public service at the time of nomination.
The EC said this violated Section 4(4)(a) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, making his nomination papers invalid.
As a result, the Commission quashed Mulirire’s nomination and overturned the earlier decision by the Buyende District Returning Officer, who had cleared him to run.
Mulirire’s legal team has strongly rejected the EC’s decision, insisting that their client complied with the law.
His lawyer, David Ngobi, said Mulirire resigned from the police force far earlier than required.
“The law demands resignation at least 90 days before nomination. Mr Mulirire resigned more than 550 days before nomination. We are shocked by this ruling, the law has been misinterpreted, and we shall challenge it.”,Nogbi said .
Ngobi also accused the EC of denying Mulirire a fair hearing.
Documents seen show that Mulirire’s resignation was approved by the Police Council’s Appointments, Promotions and Disciplinary Committee under Minute No. 009/15/04/2024, effective April 15, 2024.
The resignation letter, signed on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, instructed him to hand over government property and noted that resignation ends pensionable rights.
Former speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has also weighed in, accusing the EC of deliberately blocking candidates in competitive areas.
“Disqualifying candidates is a worrying trend. We never had this in the NRM before,” Kadaga said while addressing congregants after Christmas prayers at St Paul’s Church, Mbulamuti.
“This is a tactic used by people who fear competition.
Where they feel weak, they stop others from standing,” she added, saying she was unhappy with what she called unfair disqualifications without proper hearings.
Incumbent MP Moses Magogo, who is also the President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), dismissed claims that he is enjoying a free ride.
“There are claims that I am unopposed, which is false. That is why I am moving around, meeting voters and asking for their support,” Magogo said.
Magogo expressed confidence ahead of the 2026 polls, saying the race will be easier than 2021, which he described as divisive.
He also downplayed Mulirire’s political strength, noting that he secured only two percent in the recent NRM primaries.
Another aspirant, Geoffrey Dhamuzungu, who had polled 18 percent in the primaries, later withdrew from the race.
Magogo said he is targeting up to 90 percent of the vote and pledged to focus on education, health, roads, electricity and clean water if re-elected.
The Budiope East race initially attracted five candidates:Moses Magogo (NRM),Stephen Bangalana (Independent),Robinson Peere (PFF),Resty Nsiro (Independent) and Daniel Mulirire (Independent – Disqualified).
With Mulirire out, the contest has taken a new twist as campaigns continue to heat up ahead of 2026.
