Returning Officer Charles Rebero confirmed Ssempala’s disqualification noting that the commission had no legal basis to accept an incomplete nomination.
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An informal sector business operator dealing in plastic bags who had hoped to jump to the-prestigious position of Mayor for Mityana Municipality had all his hopes dashed when he was disqualified by the district Electoral Commission (EC) returning officer for failing to fulfil the mandatory requirement of presenting a proposer and seconder for the bid.
Sulaiman Ssempala, a resident of the Central Division had banked on his popularity rooted in his clientele to beat opponents hands down, and despite having labored to successfully collect the required 300 signatures, did not present the required proposer and seconder.
Looking weather beaten, the down-hearted Ssempala, on being turned away by Mityana District Returning Officer Charles Rebero, told journalists that he had spent the past three days collecting the required 300 signatures for verification, only to be disqualified over what he described as a minor technicality.
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He said his three-day door-to-door labour had handsomely paid off because he had collected the signatures, but that unfortunately, his proposer and seconder did not turn up on time, noting that it is painful that his entire race ended on such a small issue.
Returning Officer Charles Rebero confirmed Ssempala’s disqualification noting that the commission had no legal basis to accept an incomplete nomination.
“This is a legal requirement. Without a proposer and seconder, the nomination cannot stand. We continue to see aspirants neglecting this crucial step, which unfortunately disqualifies them from the race,” Rebero said, urging future candidates to prepare well in time to avoid procedural oversights that could cost them their political ambitions.
Ssempala’s supporters, largely from the local trading community, expressed disappointment, calling the disqualification a blow to the voice of the informal sector, while Ssempala himself appealed to the Electoral Commission to consider revising nomination guidelines to allow for more flexibility, especially for candidates with limited resources.
Political analysts say Ssempala’s case is not unique, and that the incident highlights a growing concern over aspirants underestimating the technicalities of the nomination process.
Community leaders and civil society actors are now calling on the Electoral Commission to intensify civic education and candidate training ahead of the 2026 elections.
With Sempala out of the way, this leaves NUP’s incumbent Faustine Mukambwe Lukonge, independent Fred Wotonava, and others in the race.