SEMBABULE, Uganda — A parliamentary candidate for Uganda’s Mawogola North Constituency has formally petitioned the country’s Electoral Commission (EC), seeking certified copies of all academic documents submitted by Godfrey Aine Kaguta, a younger brother to President Yoweri Museveni.
Aine, better known as Sodo, was officially nominated as the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Mawogola North on October 22.
The petition was filed by lawyer John Ndamagi Tumwebaze, who was nominated for the same constituency on October 23.
Request for constitutional verification
Tumwebaze, a partner at Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), addressed his request to Acting EC Secretary Richard Kamugisha on October 27, seeking the certified copies of Aine’s credentials.
The letter outlined the constitutional basis for the request: “I would like to satisfy myself that the said Mr Aine is qualified to be a Member of Parliament in accordance with Article 80(1) (c) and 30(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and Sections 4(1) (c) and 30(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act Cap 177 (Revised Laws of Uganda).”
Citing both constitutional and access-to-information statutes, Tumwebaze’s letter specified the documentation required: “In accordance with Article 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Sections 4, 5 and 10 of the Access to Information Act Cap 95 Revised Laws of Uganda, I hereby request for certified copies of all academic documents submitted by the said Mr Aine to the EC.”
Candidate accused of being ‘unqualified’
In a recent interview, Tumwebaze was outspoken about his motivation for entering the Sembabule District race, stating he aims to “stop the possibility of Mawogola North being represented by the most unqualified person in history.”
Tumwebaze elaborated on his concerns regarding Aine’s fitness for office: “We are talking about a person who can’t read and write. So, how can that person represent our people? How will that person participate in the law-making process?” Tumwebaze asked.
In a separate interview, Aine dismissed the need for further verification, saying “being nominated was enough to prove that he has the required academic papers.” Aine did not immediately respond to the matter regarding Tumwebaze’s official request.
EC’s stance on requests
EC Spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed to Vivid Voice News that such requests are permitted under electoral laws, stating that they are not unusual.
“During or after nominations, any registered voter can request to inspect the files that will have been submitted during the nomination exercise,” Mucunguzi said.
He clarified the scope of the legal provision: “It says any registered voter for that particular constituency, or anybody on the voters’ roll can make a formal request to the EC. This should not amount to something out of the ordinary or special.”
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When questioned on whether the EC had complied with Tumwebaze’s request or if Aine possesses the requisite qualifications, Mucunguzi stressed that the EC is not obligated to publicize the details of nomination files.
“When the Commission gets back to him, it will not announce it in the media, because the correspondence is directed to the chairperson, not to the media,” he said.
Aine announced his latest bid for the Mawogola North parliamentary seat in June for the 2026 General Election, a contest he controversially withdrew from in 2021.
He claimed his decision was driven by the “poor service delivery in our constituency” and followed consultation with President Museveni and other NRM leaders.
His 2021 withdrawal cleared the path for Shartsi Mushurure Nayebale Kutesa, daughter of former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa, to secure the seat.
