The Electoral Commission has officially declared Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, the unopposed Woman Member of Parliament for Nebbi District in the 2026 general elections.
The declaration follows the nullification of the nomination of her only challenger, Mercy Rebecca Abedican, the National Unity Platform flag bearer.
According to a letter dated November 13, 2025 and signed by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, the Commission acted on a petition filed on November 4 by Signature Advocates, which questioned the authenticity of Abedican’s nomination documents.
The EC conducted an interpartes hearing on November 7 to probe the allegations. During the session, affidavits from two individuals, Godfrey Ongiera and Jimmy Bediic, were examined. The two testified before the Commission, denying ever endorsing Abedican’s candidacy. They stated that their signatures and personal details had been used without their consent.
In his affidavit, Ongiera further noted that he is a registered member of the ruling National Resistance Movement, which endorsed Nyamutoro, arguing that it would be illogical for him to support an opposition candidate. His statement strengthened claims that the signatures on Abedican’s papers were forged.
After reviewing the evidence, the EC invalidated Abedican’s nomination, leaving Nyamutoro as the sole duly nominated candidate for the Nebbi Woman MP seat.
Nyamutoro’s path to the 2026 ballot had already been solidified earlier in July when she defeated incumbent Agnes Acibu in the NRM primaries with a landslide victory.
With her rival now disqualified, Nyamutoro automatically becomes Nebbi’s Woman MP-elect and will take her seat in the 12th Parliament following the general swearing-in ceremony in 2026.
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