Museveni Lines Up Six Witnesses as Supreme Court Hears Election Petition

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has lined up six witnesses to defend his January 15, 2026, presidential victory, which is being challenged before the Supreme Court.

The petition, filed by former National Peasants Party presidential candidate Robert Kasibante, seeks to nullify President Museveni’s victory, alleging that the election was marred by widespread irregularities and conducted in violation of electoral laws. Kasibante claims these irregularities substantially affected the final results. He also accuses Museveni of committing electoral offenses, including voter bribery and using abusive and derogatory language against other candidates.

Among the six witnesses listed by President Museveni are senior officials of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and polling agents from various polling stations. These include:

• Richard Todwong, Secretary General of the NRM

• Enoch Barata, NRM Director of Legal Services

• Polling agents from Kawempe Church of Uganda Primary School, Mbogo Primary School, Lubowa Car Parking, and Wandegeya Muslim Primary School polling stations

President Museveni has indicated that he may call additional witnesses with the court’s permission.

The Electoral Commission, named as the second respondent in the petition, has lined up twelve witnesses to defend the conduct of the election. Key witnesses include:

• Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, Chairperson

• Richard Baabo Kamugisha, Secretary

• Solomon Muhumuza, Director of Technical Support Services, to explain the Biometric Voter Verification (BVR) system

The Attorney General’s office has indicated it will call two witnesses: Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi Karugaba and Uganda Police Force Director of Operations, AIGP Frank Mwesigwa.

The hearing today focused on whether the parties had agreed on issues to be determined, as ordered by the court on January 28. Lawyers reported that they agreed on four issues and listed four others for the court’s determination, filing a joint memorandum dated January 29.

However, the justices have directed all parties to present their cases with more clarity. For instance, Kasibante’s lawyers were asked to name at least one of the 15,000 allegedly ungazetted polling stations where voting occurred. They were unable to do so.

The petition is currently underway before a nine-justice Supreme Court panel led by Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija.