The High Court in Arua will, on October 8, 2026, deliver judgment in a petition challenging the election of Aringa County Member of Parliament Siraji Ezama. Justice Celia Nagawa, who is presiding over election petitions arising from the 2026 general elections in West Nile, set the judgment date for Monday after the hearing of the petition was completed.
The petition was filed by former Aringa County parliamentary candidate Tairi Ashirafu, who is seeking the nullification of Siraji’s election, alleging that voter intimidation and violence marred the election period. The hearing began last Friday, with witnesses presented by the petitioner cross-examined on allegations of electoral offences which Ashirafu claims prevented some voters from participating in the January 15 parliamentary election.
Nine witnesses called by the petitioner were cross-examined last week, before the hearing resumed on Monday with four more witnesses, including Siraji and Electoral Commission officials, appearing for cross-examination. The officials included Yumbe District Election Administrator and Election Officer Benson Obeta, as well as supervisors responsible for Bijjo Sub-County and Yumbe Town Council.
In affidavits filed before court, Ashirafu alleges that Siraji, directly and through his agents or supporters, used intimidation and violence during and after the election. He claims the alleged actions created fear among some voters and prevented them from voting on January 15. He also alleges that some of his supporters were identified through campaign materials, including branded T-shirts and posters.
However, during cross-examination, Siraji denied the allegations, arguing that there was no restriction on who could wear his campaign T-shirts and that wearing one did not necessarily mean that a person was his supporter. Speaking to Uganda Radio Network shortly after Monday’s proceedings, Siraji’s lawyer, Kassim Ahmed, said he was satisfied with the progress of the case and the time being given by the court to both parties. Kassim also raised concern about the cost of election petitions, saying the expenses incurred by his client would be addressed through compensation when judgment is delivered.
Meanwhile, proceedings briefly took a different turn when the petitioner’s lawyer questioned whether Obeta was the Electoral Commission official responsible for managing elections in Yumbe District. The lawyer pointed out that Obeta’s affidavit did not have an appointment letter from the Electoral Commission attached to it, despite his identification card bearing the details of his position.
The issue was eventually resolved, after which Obeta told the court that his office had received complaints concerning the defacing of campaign posters, bullying and assault during the election period. He said he convened a stakeholder meeting on January 6, 2026, to hear from the parties involved.
Obeta further told the court that the Electoral Commission referred the complaints to police for investigation because the alleged acts were criminal in nature and fell outside the commission’s mandate. Ashirafu, meanwhile, maintained that the election was neither free nor fair, arguing that voter intimidation prevented some people from participating in the voting exercise.
He said his legal team had presented evidence to court to support allegations of intimidation and violence, which he believes affected the outcome of the Aringa County parliamentary election.
Justice Nagawa directed lawyers for both parties to prepare their written submissions before the judgment date. The court is expected to consider the evidence presented during the hearing and the final arguments of both sides before determining the petition on October 8.The petition is among several election disputes arising from Uganda’s January 2026 general elections being heard by courts across the country-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
