Courts Register 30 Parliamentary Election Petitions From 2026 Polls

At least 30 parliamentary election petitions have been filed following Uganda’s January 15, 2026, general elections, highlighting ongoing disputes over declared outcomes.   

The cases, now before various High Court circuits, involve challenges against winning candidates, election procedures, and the conduct of Electoral Commission officials.    

Key petitions have been lodged in Masaka, Soroti, Moroto, Luwero, Mbarara, Iganga, Kumi, Pader, Tororo, Fort Portal, Hoima, Mukono, and Lira.  

According to an Electoral Commission status report dated March 25, 2026, the petitions involve a mix of candidates challenging declared winners, and the Commission is named as a respondent in all cases before the courts.

     

Among the notable cases are a petition, incumbent MP Mwesigwa Robert Rukaari has filed a petition against businessman cum politician Christopher Bakashaba and the Electoral Commission at the High Court in Mbarara.       

In Eastern Uganda, incumbent MP Sarah Opendi Achieng is contesting the election of Angella Akoth, with the Electoral Commission also listed as a respondent in the petition before the High Court in Tororo.    

Similarly, Birungi Kobusingye has petitioned against NUP’s Harriet Nakwedde and the Electoral Commission in a case filed at the High Court in Mukono over the Kayunga District Woman MP results.    

In the Masaka High Court Circuit, Rose Nalubowa is challenging the victory of NRM’s Justine Nameere as the City Woman MP, while Muwonge Nkoko is challenging the victory of incumbent Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Namujju Dionizia, with the Electoral Commission named as a co-respondent, in one of several petitions contributing to Masaka’s high caseload.       

Ruth Katushabe’s victory as Bukomansimbi District Woman MP is also being challenged by Grace Nalubega, and Mary Begumisa, the incumbent Ssembabule District Woman MP, is challenging the victory of Florence Nambazira. 

Others include the victory of State Minister Esther Davinia Anyakun, which is being challenged in the Moroto High Court by Lilly Lapowa.       

While commenting on the developments, the Electoral Commission’s in charge of litigation, Eric Sabiiti, said the number of petitions remains relatively modest compared to previous election cycles.

“We have so far received 30 election petitions, and 24 of these are from candidates challenging the victories of Women Representatives to Parliament,” he said.   

Sabiiti explained that the bulk of the petitions stems from the earlier gazettement of Women Representatives. 




    
Masaka and Moroto High Court Circuits are handling a significant portion of these cases, with Iganga and Lira also managing multiple petitions against both candidates and election officials.          

Key issues raised in the petitions include alleged electoral malpractice, disputes over vote tallying, questions surrounding candidate nomination processes, and accusations of irregularities involving returning officers.       

Asked when the Judiciary will start hearing these cases, the Judiciary Public Relations Officer, James Jumire Ereemye Mawanda, said the Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo will give guidance to the courts after the close of the pleading period, which he believes ends this week.