Judiciary Moves All Pre-Election Cases to Kampala Ahead of 2026 Polls

The Judiciary has directed that all pre-election petition files pending before the High Court across the country be immediately transferred to the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala, in a move aimed at ensuring consistency, efficiency and timely disposal of electoral disputes ahead of the 2026 General Elections.

In a directive issued by the Principal Judge, Justice Jane Frances Abodo, all Heads of High Court Circuits have been instructed to transfer, with immediate effect, every case file relating to pre-election petitions to the Civil Division. Justice Abodo explained that it is established practice for appeals arising from decisions of the Electoral Commission, when acting in a quasi-judicial capacity, to be heard by the Civil Division of the High Court.

She noted that the Electoral Commission hears and determines all pre-election complaints at its headquarters in Kampala, making it administratively appropriate for all related appeals to be handled centrally. “The measure is necessary to promote judicial consistency, administrative efficiency, and the timely hearing of all pre-election cases,” the directive states.

The Principal Judge further instructed judges of the Civil Division, as well as those specifically assigned to handle the transferred matters, to ensure that all pre-election cases are conclusively heard and determined no later than January 9th, 2026. According to the Judiciary, the deadline is critical to ensure that all legal issues arising from the electoral process are resolved before Ugandans head to the polls for the General Elections scheduled for January 15th, 2026.

The Registrar of the High Court, working jointly with the Registrar of the Civil Division, will coordinate the receipt, management and assignment of all transferred files to ensure smooth handling of the cases. Justice Abodo emphasised the urgency of the directive and called for full cooperation from all judicial officers involved to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

The development comes as political activities intensify across the country, with a growing number of pre-election disputes being filed in court as candidates and political parties challenge decisions and actions taken during the electoral preparations by the Justice Simon Byabakama-led Electoral Commission. Among the notable cases already transferred from upcountry to Kampala is a petition filed by Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament, Theodore Ssekikubo, against Brigadier Emmanuel Rwashande.

Ssekikubo accuses the Electoral Commission of erring in law by nominating Rwashande, whom he claims lacks the minimum academic qualifications required to be a Member of Parliament. The law requires that a parliamentary candidate must possess at least the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent to qualify for nomination.However, Ssekikubo contends that although Rwashande recently graduated with a First-Class Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Nkumba University, three days after his nomination, he allegedly lacks both Primary Seven and Senior Four certificates, a claim that is now before court for determination.