Turyagyenda petitions court, demands Kwizera’s victory nullified

Asgario Turyagyenda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate for Bukimbiro Constituency in Kisoro District, has petitioned the Kabale High Court challenging the victory of Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu.

In the January 2026 general elections, Kwizera, the incumbent Bukimbiro County MP, retained the seat as an Independent candidate with 14,761 votes. Turyagyenda garnered 12,553 votes, while opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate James Owebeyi received 102 votes.

On Tuesday, Turyagyenda filed Petition No. 01 of 2026, seeking the nullification of Kwizera’s victory, citing widespread electoral irregularities. The Electoral Commission has also been included as a respondent.

Turyagyenda alleges that during the exercise, his supporters and agents were beaten and harassed by Kwizera, who also bribed voters to influence results. 

He claims that polling and presiding officials rigged the election in Kwizera’s favor, contrary to Electoral Commission guidelines.

Kenneth Tumwebaze, Kabale High Court registrar, has issued a notice to Kwizera, requiring him to file a response within 10 days. When contacted, Kwizera dismissed the petition, saying Turyagyenda is wasting time in court instead of conceding defeat. During the NRM party primaries, Turyagyenda won with 16,581 votes, defeating Kwizera, who polled 13,555 votes. 

Kwizera, however, did not challenge the primary results in court but declared his intention to contest the general elections as an Independent, claiming irregularities in the party process. Kwizera has a history of election disputes in court. In the 2021 general elections, Owebeyi petitioned against Kwizera, arguing that although candidate photos and party symbols on ballots were correct, the names were mismatched with those of the actual candidates.

The court ruled in favor of Owebeyi, nullifying Kwizera’s win. In the subsequent by-election, Kwizera defeated both Owebeyi and Turyagyenda to reclaim the seat.