Kampala, Uganda | The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Election Disputes Tribunal has dismissed two high-profile petitions filed by Moses Ogwal Goli and Ogwal Kasimiro, confirming Joseph Jones Ogwal as the official NRM flagbearer for Dokolo North Constituency ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, 18 August 2025, the tribunal, chaired by Paul Rutaya and comprised of Tony Tumukunde, Begumya Rushongoka, and John Baptist Tusime, found that the petitions lacked credible evidence to overturn the July 17 party primary results.
In petition PT-088-2025, Moses Ogwal Goli, the incumbent MP who polled 4,915 votes (28%), alleged non-compliance with electoral procedures, accusing parish registrars in Acanpii of blocking the issuance of Declaration of Results (DR) forms.
Goli also challenged Joseph Jones Ogwal’s eligibility, citing alleged continued membership in the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
In petition PT-170-2025, Ogwal Kasimiro, who received 4,503 votes, accused JJ Ogwal of electoral bribery.
He also reported violence, intimidation, and the presence of ineligible voters in Ajet, Adwoki, Dokolo Sub-County.
The tribunal dismissed both petitions on grounds of insufficient and unreliable evidence.
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Goli’s video evidence was deemed lacking in context and credibility.
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Claims of Ogwal’s UPC affiliation were refuted after the tribunal verified online that his name did not appear in the UPC register.
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A public statement by the UPC Dokolo branch, published by Dokolo Post, disowned the UPC party card linked to Ogwal, calling it a forgery.
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Allegations of violence and ineligible voters were unsubstantiated, with no evidence showing who voted or that results were affected.
The tribunal concluded that the petition by Goli was “full of forgery,” weakening its integrity and legal standing.
Joseph Jones Ogwal welcomed the ruling, thanking the tribunal for upholding the truth.
He called on the people of Dokolo North to put primary election differences behind them and focus on development.
He extended an olive branch to supporters of his opponents, urging them to join him in building a united constituency.
His lawyer, Yovino Okwir, described the ruling as a clear victory for justice, saying the evidence presented by the petitioners failed to meet the threshold of electoral malpractice.
Ogwal Kasimiro, when contacted by press, confirmed that he had not yet received the ruling and was consulting his team on the next course of action.
Efforts to get a comment from Moses Ogwal Goli were unsuccessful. By the time of publication, Goli had not responded to calls from our reporter.
With the tribunal ruling in his favor, Joseph Jones Ogwal now heads into the 2026 general elections as the undisputed NRM flagbearer for Dokolo North.
The ruling brings closure to weeks of internal contestation and positions Ogwal as a front-runner in the upcoming national polls.
