Fresh controversy has hit the Central Youth Parliamentary race after two delegates from Rubaga Division accused Makerere University Guild President and aspiring Youth MP, Ssentamu Churchill James, of allegedly falsifying their signatures on his nomination forms.
Through their lawyers Bristow Advocates, the complainants — Ms. Nambalirwa Damalie and Mr. Bisaso Ali Shafiq — have written to the Electoral Commission (EC) demanding that their names and signatures be withdrawn from Ssentamu’s nomination documents, which they claim were used without consent.
In the letter dated 29th October 2025 and received by the EC on 30th October 2025, the law firm asked for access to certified copies of the Youth Parliamentary Register and supporting forms for all candidates in the Central Youth Member of Parliament race.
“Our clients categorically state that they never signed and/or consented to support the nomination of Mr. Ssentamu Churchill James,” reads the letter signed by Kayondo Mathias on behalf of Bristow Advocates.
“This conduct amounts to misrepresentation and falsification, which infringes on their constitutional right to self-determination, informed consent, and free civic participation.”
According to the petition, the two delegates conducted an official inspection of the nomination forms at the EC offices on October 29th, where they allegedly found their names and signatures appended to Ssentamu’s forms.
However, Ssentamu Churchill James, who also serves as the Makerere University Guild President, has dismissed the claims as politically motivated lies aimed at derailing his campaign.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ssentamu wrote:
“One of our opponents, afraid of competition, has coerced two of our nominators into deceit. Apparently, these two, who signed our nomination form on the 21st of October (one from her workplace), claim their exact signatures & NINs were used without consent.
Exodus 14:14.”
The verse he cited — “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” — appears to signal his confidence in overcoming the allegations.
Ssentamu’s supporters have rallied behind him online, calling the accusations a “desperate smear campaign”, while critics argue that the incident exposes possible loopholes in the Electoral Commission’s verification system for youth delegates.
As the EC reviews the complaint, all eyes are now on the Commission to determine whether Ssentamu’s nomination will stand or face disqualification.
