The race for Nebbi District Woman Member of Parliament has taken a dramatic but decisive turn, positioning Minister Phiona Nyamutoro on the brink of an effortless return to Parliament after the Electoral Commission nullified the nomination of her only opponent. What was expected to be a competitive showdown in the 2026 polls is now all but settled ahead of schedule, with the EC set to formally declare her unopposed on November 17, 2025.

The shake-up stems from a ruling issued by EC chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, who confirmed that the nomination of opposition hopeful Mercy Rebecca Abedican had failed to meet the legal threshold required for parliamentary candidates. According to the Commission, two individuals listed as Abedican’s seconders, Godfrey Ongiera and Jimmy Bediic, officially disowned the signatures that had been submitted in their names. Their denial effectively stripped the nomination of the necessary endorsement backing, rendering it invalid under electoral law.

In the ruling dated November 13, 2025, Justice Byabakama explained that the Commission had unanimously resolved during its November 7 meeting that Abedican was not eligible for nomination, citing her failure to comply with essential legal provisions. The EC’s findings overturned an earlier decision by the Nebbi District Returning Officer who had initially accepted her nomination, triggering a review at the national level after concerns were raised about the authenticity of the signatures.

For Minister Nyamutoro, this development marks the final clearing of her path back to Parliament. She had already displayed strong political footing within the ruling party after securing a commanding victory over incumbent Agnes Acibu in the July NRM primaries. With Abedican positioned as the only remaining challenger from the opposition, her disqualification effectively ends any contest for the seat.

In its formal communication referenced LEG 75/79/01, the Electoral Commission instructed that Nyamutoro be declared elected unopposed, a rare but decisive conclusion to a parliamentary race months before Ugandans head to the polls. The ruling makes clear that with Abedican’s nomination reversed, no other qualified candidate stands in the way of the minister’s reelection.

This announcement has already stirred conversations in Nebbi, with supporters of the minister celebrating an outcome they describe as a well-deserved reaffirmation of her popularity and work. For others, particularly within the opposition, the situation has sparked debate about the vetting process and the circumstances that led to the disputed signatures. However, the EC maintains that its decision was strictly grounded in legal compliance and the integrity of the nomination process.

The final declaration, expected to be made in Nebbi on November 17, will officially seal Minister Nyamutoro’s place in the next Parliament, months before campaigns hit full swing. As the country continues to prepare for the 2026 general elections, Nebbi District now becomes one of the constituencies where the electorate will not be heading to the ballot for the Woman MP race—its representative already confirmed before voting even begins.