By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
The National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer for Mbale Northern City Division Parliamentary seat, Ivan Masaba, has thwarted arrest plans that would deny him nomination by beginning to pay the Shs51M court costs imposed on him by the area Incumbent MP, Seth Wambede.
The costs arose from an election petition he lost to Seth Wambede following the 2021 general elections.
Masaba told the media on Tuesday, 9th September, 2025 at the Mbale high court premises that, the matter had raised public concern, with his opponents allegedly plotting to have him arrested before his nomination.
“They wanted all the money to be paid at once, but I thank God this has been sorted. I also thank my lawyer Counsel Muminu and the court for receiving the money. We shall return on November 5, 2025, to make another payment. I am now free to continue with my activities, including the nomination process,” he said.
He assured his supporters that he was ready to clear all obligations while maintaining that he was the rightful winner of the 2021 polls.
“We won that election, but we did not get justice. The court dismissed our petition on minor technicalities without addressing the real issues. That is now history, and I am on the ballot to reclaim that victory,” he added.
Counsel Muminu Magomu, head of Masaba’s legal team, said Masaba had not been declared winner in 2021 during the hearing of his petition because he lacked strong legal representation.
“They were planning to arrest him and take him to Maluku Prison for six months if he had not made the payment. But court has cleared him, and we shall ensure he is not arrested. He will return on November 5 to make the payment plan with Court,” Magomu said.
He further revealed that Wambede’s team had initially rejected the payment, demanding a lump sum, but the court allowed Masaba to clear the costs in installments.
Ivan Masaba is back in the race for Member of Parliament, seeking the NUP flag alongside Nimweze Mike.
