Politics 2 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Court Challenge Looms Over Rwampara East MP Election Victory
Incumbent NRM candidate Julius Karuhanga has filed a court petition contesting the win of Independent Charles Ngabirano in Rwampara East Constituency, citing voter disenfranchisement and legal violations. He seeks annulment of the results and a by-election to allow voters a fair choice. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/rwampara-east-constituency-election-challenged-in-court-5411818
The victory of Charles Ngabirano, an Independent candidate, as MP for Rwampara East Constituency faces a legal challenge from Julius Karuhanga, the NRM incumbent who lost by a narrow margin.
Ngabirano secured 12,306 votes compared to Karuhanga’s 11,609, according to the Electoral Commission declaration. However, Karuhanga alleges serious irregularities in the process.
In his petition, filed through M/s Signature Advocates, Karuhanga claims the election violated Uganda’s Constitution, the Electoral Commission Act, and the Parliamentary Elections Act. He argues these breaches substantially affected the outcome.
Specifically, he points to disenfranchisement at eight polling stations where he initially led. Despite voting occurring between 7am and 4pm, the EC nullified results from these stations, he contends.
Karuhanga expressed confidence in the courts, stating, ‘I trust the judicial system because my team and I have all the evidence, and my prayer is that the election be annulled and set aside and a by-election be organised so that my people can have a leader they choose themselves.’
He has also petitioned the Electoral Commission directly for a by-election. Efforts to reach Ngabirano and the EC for comment were unsuccessful.