NUP’s Natukunda Withdraws Petition Against Mwenge North MP

Innocent Natukunda on Monday withdrew the election petition challenging the election of Lawrence Akugizibwe the Mwenge North County Member of Parliament in Kyenjojo District.     

Natukunda who contested as an NUP candidate was on Monday granted leave by the High Court in Fort Portal to withdraw the petition.

Justice Joanita Gertrude Bushara also ordered each party to bear its own legal costs after considering a consent agreement by the parties to the petition.

Natukunda had challenged the January 2026 election results alleging voter bribery, ballot stuffing and manipulation of results. He sought to have the outcome overturned and a by-election held.

He had listed Akugizibwe, the Returning Officer Kyenjojo and Electoral Commission as respondents to the petition.

Speaking after the court session Natukunda said the petition contained more than 1,000 pages of documents making it difficult to pursue within the time available for hearing election petitions. 

“We had filed a petition of over 1,000 pages and it is hard for us to be convinced that the judge can listen to this case within two months and give us justice.” Natukunda explained.  

He also said the court had directed him to obtain certified copies of documents from the Electoral Commission for which he claimed he had been quoted more than 50 million shillings.

Natukunda estimated that legal fees, transport and other expenses would push the total cost of pursuing the case beyond 100 million shillings.

He added that the financial burden and concerns about the hearing process influenced his decision to consent to the withdrawal.

Natukunda maintained that the election was not free and fair, alleging that ballot stuffing and collusion involving Electoral Commission officials and the first respondent affected the results.

He said the Electoral Commission declared him with 7,913 votes but he believed he could have obtained more votes had the election been conducted fairly.

Natukunda said he will return to the ground to reorganize his supporters and develop strategies to address electoral irregularities in future elections.

Meanwhile, Akugizibwe who garnered over 30,000 votes welcomed the withdrawal describing the court decision as a victory that affirmed the choice of voters.

Akugizibwe said the case had delayed his efforts to deliver services to residents of Mwenge North but that he would now concentrate on fulfilling his campaign promises.   

Akugizibwe’s lawyers led by James Byamukama had initially asked court to order Natukunda to pay their legal costs arguing that they had spent time and resources preparing for the hearing.

However the parties later agreed that each side would meet its own costs.