Kampala Central Member of Parliament Minsa Kabanda has explained that the discrepancy between the names on her National Identification Card and Electoral Commission documents is due to delays by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in processing her application to change her names. Kabanda applied to have her name changed from Minsa Kabanda Nabbengo to Minsa Kabanda. The delay in updating her official identification details is responsible for the difference in names now at the centre of a legal challenge to her election as Kampala Central MP.
The name discrepancy issue was raised by election petitioner and National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya before the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala. Rubongoya is challenging Kabanda's victory in the January 15, 2026 parliamentary elections, citing that her Electoral Commission nomination and declaration documents identify her as Minsa Kabanda, while her National ID bears the names Minsa Kabanda Nabbengo. Rubongoya argues that this discrepancy raises questions about the validity of her nomination and subsequent declaration as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Kampala Central.
Kabanda's explanation follows Rubongoya's testimony in court, where he is challenging her election. The petitioner is seeking to challenge both her nomination and the Electoral Commission's declaration of her as the winner of the parliamentary contest. The petition forms part of a wider legal challenge to Kabanda's election, with Rubongoya questioning several aspects of the nomination process and the conduct of the January polls.
In an earlier ruling delivered on October 7, 2026, Justice Flavia Nabakooza declined to strike out complaints concerning Kabanda's nomination, academic qualifications, and differences in her names. The judge allowed those issues to remain part of the substantive election petition. However, the judge struck out 97 additional affidavits filed by Rubongoya without the required permission of court.
The preliminary ruling did not determine the merits of the allegations concerning Kabanda's nomination or the validity of her election. The substantive election petition is expected to proceed through the court process, where the parties will have an opportunity to present their respective arguments. By allowing the complaints to remain part of the petition, the court has paved the way for further examination of the issues raised by Rubongoya.
Kabanda's name change application was not completed by NIRA, leading to the discrepancy. The issue has sparked a legal challenge to her election, with Rubongoya arguing that the discrepancy raises questions about her eligibility as a candidate. The court's decision to allow the complaints to proceed will have implications for Kabanda's continued role as Kampala Central MP.
The case will continue to be heard in court, with both parties presenting their arguments. Key points to watch include the court's determination of the validity of Kabanda's nomination and the impact of the name discrepancy on her election.
Key points
- Minsa Kabanda attributes name discrepancy to NIRA delays.
- The discrepancy raises questions about the validity of her nomination.
- The court has allowed complaints to remain part of the substantive election petition.
