The loser in the January 27 local government general election for Mbarara City North Division, Benon Mugume, has filed a petition in the High Court of Uganda at Mbarara challenging the victory of his opponent, Gumisiriza Kyabwiiso Katozi, citing inconsistencies in the respondent’s National Identification Card and nomination details. Mugume also named the Electoral Commission as a respondent in the petition.
In the petition, Mugume contends that the nomination, gazettement, and subsequent declaration of Gumisiriza were conducted in contravention of the law due to material inconsistencies in his name. He alleges that while the respondent was nominated under the names “Gumisiriza Kyabwisho Katozi,” his National Identification Card bears the names “Gumisiriza Kyabwiiso Katozi,” which he argues are materially different from those used during nomination.
The petitioner further claims that despite the discrepancy, the Electoral Commission proceeded to gazette the respondent under the disputed names and particulars. In a notice issued by High Court Registrar Grace Atwogyeire, Gumisiriza has been directed to file his response within 10 days, failing which the court will proceed to hear and determine the petition in his absence.
Gumisiriza, who contested as an independent candidate, was declared the winner on January 28 by Mbarara City Returning Officer Violet Atuhurra after polling 8,183 votes. His closest rival, Mugume of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), garnered 7,226 votes. Other candidates included Mukasa Kamwebaza (120 votes), Ivan Murindwa (2 votes, Independent), and Abdul Nasser Nsubuga of the PFF party (58 votes).
Mugume argues that he is not only challenging the outcome of the election but also the validity of the nomination of all candidates, alleging that the process substantially contravened Section 123(9) of the Local Governments Act, Cap 138, and other related electoral laws. He further claims that the Electoral Commission, which is mandated to receive, scrutinize, and approve nomination papers, unlawfully accepted and approved the nomination of Gumisiriza and other candidates despite alleged irregularities.
The petitioner also states that he lodged a formal complaint with the Electoral Commission on November 10, 2025, before polling day, raising concerns over invalid nomination papers. However, he alleges that the commission failed, neglected, or refused to investigate or resolve the complaint before the election, contrary to its statutory obligations under Section 15 of the Electoral Commission Act.
Mugume further alleges that nomination supporters’ forms contained forged signatures, false entries, and names of individuals who never consented to support the candidates, including deceased persons listed among supporters. He claims the irregularities were evident in several electoral areas, including Nyakinengo Ward, Biharwe West Ward, Rwenjeru Ward, Bunutsya Ward, Kakoma Ward, and Ruharo Ward.According to the petition, the candidates allegedly failed to meet the mandatory statutory number of valid supporters after excluding forged, disputed, and deceased entries. Mugume is seeking a court declaration that Gumisiriza and other candidates were unlawfully nominated and therefore not validly elected.
He also wants the court to declare him the duly elected winner of the Mbarara City North Division Chairperson election, or alternatively, nullify the election and order a fresh poll. He further prays that the Electoral Commission be directed to conduct a new election and that the costs of the petition be awarded to him-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
