The High Court in Hoima will on November 13, 2026, deliver its judgment in a petition challenging the election of Asinansi Nyakato as the Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament. Justice Charles Kasibayo set the judgment date on Thursday after both sides completed presenting their evidence in the petition filed by Princess Diana Jane Mugenyi, the National Resistance Movement candidate who lost to Nyakato of the People’s Front for Freedom in the January 15 election.
Nyakato was declared winner with 17,142 votes against Mugenyi’s 15,197, giving her a margin of 1,945 votes. National Unity Platform candidate Bridget Kiiza obtained 1,362 votes, while independent candidate Sylvia Nalumaga Balyesiima polled 1,009 votes. The results were gazetted on February 6.
Mugenyi, through her lawyers led by Brian Rubaihayo of Mwesigwa Rukutana Advocates, is asking the court to nullify Nyakato’s election and order a fresh poll. She alleges widespread electoral irregularities, including bribery, voter manipulation, ballot stuffing and non-compliance with electoral laws.
Among the issues raised in the petition are alleged discrepancies between the number of registered voters, ballot papers issued and votes counted at several polling stations.
At Sir Tito Winyi Stadium polling station, Mugenyi alleges that only 194 ballot papers were issued to 525 registered voters. At St Mary’s Primary School, she alleges that 341 people voted but only 173 ballot papers were counted. She also alleges that at Hoima Boma polling station, 118 ballot papers were issued against 471 registered voters.
Mugenyi further challenges the accuracy and completeness of some Declaration of Results forms. She cites Hoima Rotary polling station, where she alleges the results form was unsigned, and Kitara Secondary School Lower, where she says the form did not contain details of valid, invalid and rejected votes.
She also alleges ballot stuffing at Mparo Gasani polling station, where she says 350 ballot papers were counted although only 146 voters had cast their ballots.
The petition contains further allegations of voter bribery and illegal transfer of voters from neighbouring Kikuube District to Hoima City. Mugenyi alleges that Nyakato gave 500,000 shillings to elderly voters in Ruyanja Cell, Kibingo Ward, on January 6.
She also alleges that an agent distributed cash at Budaka Primary School and money and alcohol at Kikwatamigo Trading Centre on January 14.
She further alleges that some voters from Kikuube were transferred to Hoima City using their national identification details after being misled that the information was required for development documentation. Mugenyi argues that the alleged irregularities substantially affected the outcome because Nyakato defeated her by 1,945 votes.
Nyakato was cross-examined by Mugenyi’s lawyers on Thursday, completing the presentation of evidence in the petition. Mugenyi and her witnesses had been cross-examined by Nyakato’s lawyers, led by Medard Lubega Sseggona, last week.
After the proceedings, lawyers from both sides expressed confidence in their respective cases.
Ali Barekye Turyahikayo, one of Nyakato’s lawyers, said the evidence presented in court supports their case and expressed confidence that Nyakato will retain her seat.
Nyakato also said she was confident the court would uphold her election, insisting that she won the election genuinely and that she had evidence to support her victory.
Hamphrey Tumwesigye of Mujulizi and Company Advocates, who represents Mugenyi, said they were equally confident that the evidence presented would persuade the court to nullify Nyakato’s election. Mugenyi called for calm among her supporters as they await the judgment. Justice Kasibayo will deliver the ruling on November 13 at 10 a.m.-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
