Politics 18 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Former NUP Candidate Sues EC Over Conflicting Nakaseke Woman MP Results
Esther Nakawooya, a National Unity Platform candidate, has filed a petition at Luweero High Court against the Electoral Commission and winner Sarah Najjuma, alleging irregularities including two conflicting result declarations that altered vote tallies. She claims alterations at multiple polling stations and use of improvised forms denied her victory in the January 2026 election. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/-ec-dragged-to-court-over-conflicting-nakaseke-woman-mp-results-5394932
Esther Nakawooya, who contested the Nakaseke District Woman MP seat under the National Unity Platform (NUP), has taken the Electoral Commission (EC) and declared winner Sarah Najjuma of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to Luweero High Court.
The petition seeks to nullify the January 15, 2026, results due to gross irregularities. On January 16, Nakaseke Returning Officer Aidah Tusiime declared Najjuma the winner with 55,455 votes against Nakawooya’s 26,873. However, on January 18, the EC issued another certified declaration showing Najjuma with 56,151 votes and Nakawooya with 27,156.
The later declaration was used to gazette Najjuma on February 6. Nakawooya highlights discrepancies from over 98 polling stations, including altered figures without proper countersignatures at places like Kakoola Primary School and Bukeeka Primary School.
At Magoma polling station, the EC reportedly used a handwritten form torn from an exercise book, stamped and signed by Tusiime. Nakawooya argues the EC lacks original certified copies for many stations, undermining the entire process.
The court has yet to schedule hearings, but the petition emphasizes the EC’s failure to ensure electoral transparency in Nakaseke, which has 133,542 voters across 328 polling stations.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)