Journalists and supporters of election petitioners face tighter restrictions accessing Luwero High Court as hearings of petitions arising from the 2026 General Elections begin. Under guidelines issued by the Deputy Registrar of the Luwero High Court, journalists from different media houses must first report to the Public Relations Officer, Savannah, for accreditation before being allowed into the court premises.
Reporters are also required to present proof that they have been assigned by their respective media organisations to cover the election petition hearings. The guidelines prohibit journalists and other court users from taking photographs during the proceedings unless they have obtained express permission from the judicial officer and security personnel. The Judiciary has also restricted the number of supporters who may accompany candidates, with each candidate allowed a maximum of 15 people.
Parking within the court premises has been reserved for judicial officers and court staff, while advocates and other court users have been directed to use the police parking yard. All persons accessing the court premises, including advocates, will also be required to undergo security checks at designated points. The Deputy Registrar said no person, apart from bodyguards attached to judges, will be allowed onto the court premises with a firearm or any other dangerous weapon capable of causing death or injury.
The guidelines, the Deputy Registrar said, are intended to ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the election petition hearings and will be reviewed depending on the prevailing security situation. Meanwhile, the Judiciary has assigned two High Court judges to Luwero to handle six election petitions arising from the 2026 General Elections. According to a Judiciary statement issued on Saturday, September 12, hearings of High Court election petitions began on Monday, September 14, and will run until November 13, 2026. Petitions before Chief Magistrates’ Courts are scheduled to begin on September 21 and are expected to be concluded by October 30.
Among the cases before the Luwero High Court is a petition filed by former Nakaseke Central Member of Parliament Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, challenging the declaration of Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye as the winner of the parliamentary election. Another petition was filed by National Unity Platform-NUP candidate Esther Nakawooya, challenging the election of NRM’s Sarah Najjuma as Nakaseke District Woman Member of Parliament. Former Youths Central MP Agnes Kirabo has also petitioned the court, challenging the declaration of Brenda Nabukenya as the duly elected District Woman Member of Parliament.
The Judiciary said at least 100 judicial officers have been assigned to handle 346 parliamentary and local council election petitions across the country. The team comprises 48 High Court judges handling 157 election petitions and 52 Chief Magistrates handling 189 petitions. At Luwero High Court, the two judges will handle the six parliamentary election petitions, while one magistrate has been assigned two petitions arising from local council elections.
Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has urged judicial officers handling the petitions to adopt firm and effective case-management measures to ensure the cases are concluded expeditiously. In Administrative Circular No. 5 of 2026, Justice Abodo directed judges assigned to election petitions to give the cases their full attention and avoid other commitments that could interfere with the scheduled hearing programme.
During the election petition period, election cases will take precedence over ordinary judicial assignments. Justice Abodo also cautioned against unnecessary adjournments and directed that interlocutory applications be handled expeditiously while court directions are strictly enforced. The restrictions at Luwero High Court come as the Judiciary begins processing hundreds of election disputes across the country, with authorities seeking to balance public access to proceedings with courtroom security and orderly case management-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
