The Electoral Commission (EC) has set a hearing today, November 18, 2025, to review a petition challenging the eligibility of two candidates vying for the Bukimbiri County parliamentary seat in Kisoro District.
The petition was filed on November 17 by James Owebeyi, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer, who claims that the nominations of Eddie Kwizera Wa-Gahungu (Independent) and Asgario Turyagyenda (National Resistance Movement, NRM) did not meet the required academic documentation standards.
Owebeyi asserts that Kwizera failed to provide either Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) certificates—or even result slips—during the nomination process. While he was allowed to inspect the candidates’ documents on November 6, he says he was denied photocopies for verification.
According to the FDC candidate, Kwizera submitted two verification letters from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB). However, the names on the letters do not match his current official name. One letter, dated June 26, 2025, lists “Kwizera Edward Julius” as having sat the UACE at Luwero Hall, while another, dated October 3, 2002, indicates “Kwizera Eddie” sat the UCE at Nyakasura School in 1984.
Owebeyi further cited the Uganda Gazette of September 28, 2012, which shows that Kwizera Edward Julius Aggrey legally changed his name to Kwizera Eddie Wa-Gahungu on September 14, 2012. He alleges that the discrepancy between the Gazette and the UNEB letters raises doubts about the authenticity of the documents.
Similarly, Owebeyi claims that Turyagyenda did not submit a UACE certificate or its equivalent, despite indicating on his nomination form that he had completed PLE, UCE, and UACE. The two UNEB verification letters Turyagyenda submitted, both dated June 17, 2025, reportedly bear different signatures for the Secretary and Executive Director of UNEB, further raising questions.
In response, the Acting Secretary of the Electoral Commission, Richard Baabo Kamugisha, has invited both Kwizera and Turyagyenda to appear before the Commission at 12:00 PM today. Owebeyi will also attend the hearing.
The EC is expected to examine the arguments and evidence from both sides before making a determination on whether the nominations comply with electoral requirements, a decision that could affect the upcoming Bukimbiri County parliamentary race.
This story is developing, and updates will follow as more details emerge from the Electoral Commission hearing.
