NRM disqualifies Youth MP aspirant Fiona Nakku over age

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has disqualified Fiona Nakku from the race for the National Female Youth MP flag bearer position, citing ineligibility due to age.

A letter signed by the party’s Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, confirmed that Nakku was disqualified following several petitions challenging her age. A petition, filed by lawyer Aaron Amanya, alleged that Nakku, born on December 20, 1994, is 31 years old and therefore outside the constitutional youth age bracket of 18 to 30.

The NRM Electoral Commission stated it received confirmation from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) that Nakku is over the age limit for youth council and related positions.

Records from the ministry of Internal Affairs were also cited, showing she sat for her senior four exams in 2010 at the age of 16. The National Youth Council Act and the Parliamentary Elections Act require candidates for youth parliamentary seats to be between 18 and 30 years old.

Age-related disputes are common in youth leadership races. In 2021, Chris Mufakinanye, known as Omujujuguju, successfully petitioned against Blaise Kamugisha, who had sought to contest for the NRM Youth League chairperson position.

Omujujuguju was also among those who petitioned for Nakku’s disqualification. Nakku, who is reportedly the sister of NRM treasurer Babra Nekesa, was one of the top three contestants in the race.

She had already spent a significant amount of money on campaign materials, including billboards and posters across the country. Her disqualification leaves the contest largely between Diana Kampe Ampaire and Mercy Kanyesigye, who are considered to have the strongest support among the delegates. Nakku previously contested the 2021 Busia District Woman MP race, where she lost to Hellen Wandera.