Three newly elected Members of Parliament from Wakiso District have started defending their victories before the High Court against petitions seeking to overturn the results of the January 2026 general elections. The petitions are being heard by Justice George Okello at the Wakiso High Court and involve Emmanuel Magoola of Busiro East, George Musisi of Kira Municipality and James Kakooza, the representative of older persons for the Central Region.
In Busiro East, independent candidate Magoola is defending his election against a petition filed by NRM candidate Hajji Abdul Kiyimba. Official results show that Magoola won the seat with 45,625 votes against Kiyimba’s 28,499. Kiyimba is challenging the results, citing alleged irregularities in the tallying process. He is asking the court to order a recount or nullify the election.
In Kira Municipality, National Unity Platform’s George Musisi is defending his victory against NRM candidate Daniel Kananura. Musisi won the seat after defeating long-serving MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, attracting significant attention during the election. Kananura’s petition alleges that the election was marred by ballot stuffing, voter bribery and other electoral malpractices involving Musisi and the Electoral Commission.
He is seeking nullification of the results or an order for a fresh election.
The third petition involves the special interest seat for older persons in the Central Region, which was won by James Kakooza, a former State Minister for Health and former East African Legislative Assembly member. Kakooza secured 111 votes against independent candidate Mary Ssendi’s 50 votes. Ssendi has since petitioned the court, challenging Kakooza’s victory.
The Wakiso petitions opened a week after election petition hearings started in other High Court circuits across the country. Monday’s proceedings were also affected by logistical challenges after petitioners, lawyers, journalists and supporters who had gathered at the court premises were initially denied access as judges held a meeting. Access was granted at about 10:50 a.m., although only a limited number of people were allowed into the courtroom because of space constraints.
Justice Okello acknowledged the challenges and asked the parties to remain patient, while emphasising that the hearings would be strictly managed to meet the statutory deadlines for resolving election petitions. “I expect lawyers to be flexible. We will be giving fixtures with sharp deadlines, but this is done to ensure that we fit within the set timelines,” Justice Okello said.
The judge also said the court would readily endorse mediation should any of the parties opt for an amicable settlement. Justice Sarah Birungi Kalibala has also been assigned to the Wakiso High Court to handle petitions arising mainly from mayoral and sub-county elections.
Among the petitions before her are Ntume Peter’s challenge against Mulondo Wilson Ndawula in Mende Sub-county; Bantebya Daniel against Mwanje John Felix in Wakiso Sub-county; Semwanga Norman Kaboggoza against Bulamu Allan Dentine in Kira Municipality; Ntanzi Male against Mutebi Ronald Kitattamuyima; and Gasanyula Margaret against Semugera Joseph Bitokote in Kyengera Town Council.
The Electoral Commission is named as a respondent in several of the petitions. The Wakiso hearings are part of the wider judicial process to resolve hundreds of petitions arising from the 2026 general elections within the statutory timelines-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
