Security has been tightened at the Hoima High Court as the hearing begins in a petition challenging the election of Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament Asinansi Nyakato in the January 2026 General Elections. By 9:00 a.m., Uganda Police Force personnel had deployed heavily at the court gate and around the court premises as the candidates, lawyers and their supporters arrived for the proceedings.
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, said the deployment is intended to prevent disturbances before, during and after the court proceedings. Hakiza said some political party supporters can become unruly even within court premises, prompting police to heighten security. He appealed to all supporters attending the hearing to remain calm and observe discipline as they follow the proceedings.
The Hoima High Court Circuit is hearing an election petition filed by Princess Diana Jane Mugenyi, the former National Resistance Movement candidate for Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament. Mugenyi lost the election to Asinansi Nyakato of the People’s Front for Freedom, who was declared the winner with 17,142 votes against Mugenyi’s 15,197.
National Unity Platform candidate Bridget Kiiza polled 1,362 votes, while independent candidate Nalumaga Sylvia Balyesiima obtained 1,009 votes. The results were gazetted on February 6, 2026. Mugenyi, through her lawyers led by Brian Rubaihayo of Mwesigwa Rukutana Advocates, is challenging Nyakato’s election and wants the court to nullify the result and order a fresh election.
She alleges widespread electoral irregularities, bribery, voter manipulation and non-compliance with electoral laws during the January 15 election. According to the petition, at Sir Tito Winyi Stadium polling station, only 194 ballot papers were issued for 525 registered voters, while at St Mary’s Primary School, 341 people reportedly voted but only 173 ballot papers were counted.
At Hoima Boma polling station, Mugenyi alleges that only 118 ballot papers were issued for 471 registered voters, potentially leaving 353 registered voters unable to vote. She also points to alleged inconsistencies in declaration of results forms. At Hoima Rotary polling station, she claims the results declaration form was unsigned, while at Kitara Secondary School Lower, the form allegedly lacked details of valid, invalid, and rejected votes.
The petition further alleges ballot stuffing, including claims that 350 ballot papers were counted at Mparo Gasani polling station despite only 146 voters having cast their ballots. At Kasasa Catholic Church polling station, Mugenyi alleges that the number of votes recorded exceeded the number of voters who participated. She also accuses Nyakato and her agents of bribing voters.
The petition alleges that on January 6, 2026, Nyakato gave 500,000 shillings to elderly voters in Ruyanja Cell, Kibingo Ward. It further alleges that on January 14, an agent distributed cash at Budaka Primary School and provided money and alcohol to voters at Kikwatamigo Trading Centre. Mugenyi also alleges that voters were illegally transferred from Kikuube District to Hoima City using their national identification details after allegedly being misled that the information was required for development documentation.
She claims the affected voters were subsequently registered at polling stations including Busiisi Primary School, Hoima Library and Kihomboza. Mugenyi argues that the alleged irregularities, bribery, ballot stuffing and voter manipulation substantially affected the outcome of the election. With a margin of 1,945 votes separating the two leading candidates, she contends that the alleged irregularities could have affected the final result. She is asking the court to declare the election invalid, nullify Nyakato’s victory, and order a fresh election. The petition is being heard by Justice Charles Kasibayo-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
