The High Court in Rukungiri has set October 6, 2026, for the hearing of an election petition challenging the election of General Henry Tumukunde Kakurugu, the as Member of Parliament for Rukungiri Municipality. The petition was filed in late March 2026 by Ingrid Kamateneti Turinawe, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) flag bearer.
Tumukunde, who contested on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, won with 7,115 votes. Turinawe came second with 6,268 votes. Tumukunde won the election by 847 votes. Independent candidates Wallen Nuwagaba Tumwine and Richard Akanyijuka polled 297 and 53 votes, respectively.
Turinawe argues that Tumukunde was not duly elected and faults the Electoral Commission for declaring him the winner. She alleges that the election was marred by widespread irregularities, including voter intimidation, bribery and chaos at several polling stations.
During Monday afternoon’s court session, visiting High Court Judge Richard Wejuli Wabwire granted Turinawe, through her lawyers led by Isaac Kwagala of M/S Ssingo Advocates, permission to file additional affidavits by September 21. Tumukunde was directed to file his response by September 30, 2026.
Justice Wabwire subsequently scheduled the substantive hearing of the petition for October 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., and directed all parties to comply with the court orders.
Tumukunde declined to comment on the case, saying the matter was before court. Turinawe, however, expressed confidence that she would win the petition despite what she described as intimidation of herself and her witnesses by her opponent. She said she would respect the court’s guidance and orders throughout the proceedings-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
