By KT Reporter
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elections Tribunal has officially upheld Martin Chemonges as the party’s flagbearer for the Kapchorwa Municipality parliamentary seat, ending weeks of political tension following a cancelled election and a contested rerun.
Chemonges’s candidacy was initially tested during the July 17th primary election, which was marred by allegations of irregularities and voter malpractice. Rival candidate Kitiyo Solimo promptly filed a petition under No. 083/2025 challenging the results, prompting the NRM to annul the poll and order a fresh election.
The rerun, held on July 31st, saw a closely fought contest between Chemonges and Solimo. After the votes were tallied, Chemonges emerged victorious, securing 11,341 votes, representing 48.01% of the total votes cast. Solimo trailed with 9,388 votes, or 39.74%. Despite the result, Solimo again raised concerns about the credibility of the rerun and appealed to the NRM Elections Tribunal to review the outcome.
After a thorough review of the evidence and proceedings, the tribunal ruled that the rerun had been conducted following the party’s electoral guidelines and found no sufficient evidence of malpractice to overturn the results.
In a statement released on August 15th, 2025, the tribunal confirmed Chemonges’s victory, declaring him the official NRM flagbearer for Kapchorwa Municipality ahead of the 2026 general elections. “After careful scrutiny of the electoral process, the tribunal finds no grounds to invalidate the rerun results. Martin Chemonges is, therefore, confirmed as the duly elected NRM flagbearer for Kapchorwa Municipality,” the ruling read in part.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network following the decision, Chemonges expressed gratitude to the tribunal and pledged to continue working for the unity and development of both the party and the people of Kapchorwa. “This victory is not just mine; it belongs to the people of Kapchorwa who believe in progressive leadership. I call upon my brother Solimo and all party members to come together as we prepare for the general elections,” Chemonges stated.
Kitiyo Solimo remained tight-lipped after the ruling, with his campaign spokesperson noting that he was “reviewing the decision” and would consult with his legal and political team before making further announcements.
The confirmation of Chemonges’s victory now positions him as the key NRM contender for Member of Parliament for Kapchorwa Municipality in 2026, a development expected to rally party supporters in the region, which remains a stronghold for the ruling party.
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