The High Court Civil Division in Kampala has dismissed Fiona Nakku’s attempt to remain in the race for the National Female Youth MP seat over alteration in age in her National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to enable her fit in the race.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Collins Acelam of the Civil Court division held that Nakku had no grounds for relief since her biodata had already been corrected by NIRA to reflect her true date of birth as December 20, 1994, a fact that disqualified her under the National Youth Council Act, which sets the youth age limit between 18 and 30.
“The status quo sought to be maintained by the Applicant has already been altered,” Justice Acelam ruled. “Granting this injunction would in effect render the main application nugatory.”
The Electoral Commission of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) early this week disqualified Fiona Nakku from the race for the party’s National Female Youth Member of Parliament (MP) flag bearer position, citing age ineligibility.
According to the Commission, Nakku does not meet the age requirements stipulated for youth candidates under both the NRM constitution and national electoral laws.
Her disqualification narrows the field of contenders vying to represent the party in the upcoming elections for the National Female Youth MP seat.
A letter signed by the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, confirmed that Fiona Nakku was disqualified following multiple petitions challenging her eligibility based on age. One of the petitions, filed by lawyer Aaron Amanya, alleged that Nakku—born on December 20, 1994—is 31 years old, placing her outside the constitutional youth age bracket of 18 to 30 years.
The Commission stated that it had received official confirmation from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) verifying that Nakku exceeds the age limit for youth council and related elective positions.
Official records from the Ministry of Internal Affairs have played a key role in the disqualification of Fiona Nakku from the race for the NRM’s National Female Youth MP flag bearer position. The documents indicate that Nakku sat for her Senior Four examinations in 2010 at the age of 16—placing her current age at 31.
This age exceeds the constitutional limit for youth representatives, which is set between 18 and 30 years, as outlined in both the National Youth Council Act and the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Age-related disputes are a recurring issue in youth political races. In 2021, Chris Mufakinanye, widely known as Omujujuguju, successfully challenged Blaise Kamugisha’s bid for the NRM Youth League chairperson role over similar concerns. Omujujuguju was also among the petitioners who challenged Nakku’s eligibility.
Nakku, who is reportedly the sister of NRM national treasurer Babra Nekesa, was regarded as one of the frontrunners in the race, having ranked among the top three contenders before her disqualification.
Nakku had already invested heavily in her campaign, with significant spending on promotional materials, including billboards and posters displayed across the country. Her sudden disqualification now narrows the race, with Diana Kampe Ampaire and Mercy Kanyesigye emerging as the frontrunners, both of whom are believed to command strong support among party delegates.
This is not Nakku’s first attempt at elective politics. In 2021, she contested for the Busia District Woman MP seat but lost to Hellen Wandera.