The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has disqualified Lawrence Mujuni Mpitsi, the former Secretary of the Equal Opportunities Commission, from contesting in the party’s internal elections for parliamentary candidates.
The Commission, chaired by Dr. Tanga Odoi, removed Mujuni Mpitsi from the race for the Rubabo County parliamentary flag in Rukungiri District on grounds that he is a convict, which violates electoral laws.
According to the law governing parliamentary elections, individuals convicted of offences involving dishonesty or moral turpitude are barred from seeking public or political office for seven years following their conviction.
Court records show that Mujuni was convicted on February 21, 2022, for conspiracy to defraud the Equal Opportunities Commission and the government.
He was sentenced to a fine of 50 currency points, equivalent to one million shillings, or a default one-year prison term.
He opted to pay the fine. In addition to the monetary penalty, Mujuni was ordered to refund more than 35 million shillings and was disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years under Section 46 of the Anti-Corruption Act.
A court order confirming his discharge upon payment of the fine was issued on January 7, 2025, and has been reviewed by Uganda Radio Network.
Mujuni’s legal troubles trace back to 2019 when he was jointly charged before the Anti-Corruption Court with nine other officials from the Equal Opportunities Commission. They faced 21 counts including abuse of office, embezzlement, and causing financial loss.
His co-accused included Agnes Enid Kamahoro, Moses Mugabe, Ronnie Kwesiga, Manasseh Kwihangana, Harriet Byangire, Evans Jjemba, Sarah Nassanga, and Olwor Sunday.
The Commission’s former Chairperson, Sylvia Ntambi, was also initially charged, although the charges against her were later dropped.
Prosecutors alleged that the accused misappropriated funds intended for sensitization on equity and rights in lower local governments in the Karamoja region.
They reportedly claimed per diem allowances for editing and drafting the Commission’s HIV and AIDS workplace policy despite not being entitled to those payments.
The per diem was reportedly acquired by Kamahoro and later irregularly approved by Mujuni Mpitsi, which caused financial loss to the government.
Before Mujuni’s disqualification, lawyers from Mwesigwa Rukutana and Company Advocates petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission on April 17, 2025.
The petition, submitted on behalf of Rukunda Frank, Rukunde Paul, and Muhumuza Moses, all NRM members from Rubabo Constituency, brought attention to his criminal record.
“The purpose of this letter is to inform your esteemed office of Mujuni Mpitsi’s ineligibility to stand for any office in the upcoming NRM primary elections,” the letter stated.
Following a review of the petition and court records, the Electoral Commission officially disqualified Mujuni Mpitsi from the party primaries.
By the time of publishing this story, efforts to reach Mujuni Mpitsi for comment were unsuccessful. His lawyer, Jude Byamukama, declined to comment, saying the matter is still premature and they are awaiting a formal ruling regarding his client’s nomination status.
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