Esther Nakawooya Petitions High Court Over Nakaseke Woman MP Results

Esther Nakawooya, the former National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for the Nakaseke District Woman Member of Parliament seat, has petitioned the High Court in Luwero, challenging the declaration of Sarah Najjuma, of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), as the winner of the race.

According to the results declared by the Nakaseke District Returning Officer, Aidah Tusiime, Sarah Najjuma won the race with 55,455 votes, defeating Nakawooya, who polled 26,873 votes. The Electoral Commission later issued another certified copy of the results dated February 20, 2026, confirming Najjuma as the winner with 56,151 votes, while Nakawooya’s tally increased to 27,156 votes.

Through M/S Alaka and Company Advocates, Nakawooya has now filed a petition at the High Court in Luwero seeking to nullify the election results, citing several irregularities.

In the petition, Nakawooya argues that the Electoral Commission failed to organise the elections in compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 176), and the Parliamentary Elections Act.

She alleges that, contrary to the Parliamentary Elections Act, the election was marred by ballot stuffing, multiple voting, suspicious 100 per cent voter turnout at some polling stations, and alteration of results in favour of the NRM candidate.

Nakawooya lists 28 polling stations where all registered voters reportedly turned up to vote, despite the presence of deceased persons whose names remained on the voters’ register. Among them is Kyamaweno Polling Station, where all 379 registered voters reportedly cast their ballots, yet the register still contained four names of deceased persons.

Other polling stations cited include Kiruli, Gombolola Headquarters, Gomero, Kinoni Primary School, Kyabigulu, Kalagala, Kiswaga, Kakoola (MUL-Z), Buwana MB-Z, and Katooke, all located in Nakaseke North Constituency, where voter turnout ranged between 99 and 100 per cent, allegedly including votes cast in the names of deceased persons.

In her petition, Nakawooya further argues that the Electoral Commission failed to properly ascertain, tally, transmit and declare election results, thereby disenfranchising voters at several polling stations. She cites Lumpewe Primary School Polling Station, where she allegedly received 173 votes compared to Najjuma’s 97, but the Returning Officer recorded zero votes for her.

At Lukese Polling Station, Nakawooya says she obtained 131 votes, yet the Returning Officer declared only 13 votes for her at the tally centre. Nakawooya also lists 43 polling stations where she claims results were falsified in favour of Najjuma and incorrect returns were submitted to returning officers before the final declaration.

In some of the cited stations, the total number of votes cast exceeded the number of ballot papers issued. For instance, at Ngando Polling Station, 600 votes were reportedly counted even though only 534 ballot papers had been issued. At Kyaruseesa Polling Station, 303 votes were recorded despite only 300 ballot papers having been issued.

The petitioner also alleges that unauthorised persons were allowed to vote in more than 30 polling stations. Nakawooya is now asking the court to set aside the election results for the Nakaseke District Woman Member of Parliament seat.

By the time of filing this report, MP Sarah Najjuma and the Electoral Commission had not yet filed their defence at the High Court in Luwero.