Kampala, August 22, 2025 – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has dismissed a petition challenging the victory of Mr. Willy Omodo Omodo in the Oyam North Constituency NRM primary elections.
The petition, filed by Mr. Otto Billie Nelly Bilshan, stemmed from the primaries held on July 17, 2025, where Omodo Omodo secured 21,663 votes against Bilshan’s 4,266. Bilshan alleged that the elections were conducted in contravention of the 1995 Constitution, the Parliamentary Elections Act, and the NRM Electoral Commission regulations. He sought nullification of the results and fresh polling across the constituency.
At the hearing, Bilshan represented himself, while the respondents – Omodo Omodo and Engola Okello Samuel – were represented by Dr. Adams Rajab Makmot Kibwanga and Advocate Katabazi Ingrid.
The Tribunal considered four key issues: whether the election was conducted in accordance with NRM rules, whether the respondents engaged in bribery, whether the alleged irregularities affected the results, and whether the petitioner was entitled to remedies.
In its ruling, the Tribunal found that the petitioner failed to present sufficient evidence to support his claims. The allegations of electoral irregularities and bribery were dismissed for lack of proof, and the Tribunal ruled that the alleged irregularities did not substantially affect the outcome.
“The petition is hereby dismissed. The declaration of Mr. Willy Omodo Omodo as the duly elected NRM flagbearer for Oyam North Constituency is upheld,” the Tribunal declared.
The ruling was delivered in Kampala on August 22, 2025, by Tribunal Chairperson John Misiline, alongside panel head Ronald Tusingwire and member Patrick Rutembana.
With the decision, Omodo Omodo remains the official NRM flagbearer for Oyam North in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
