Politics 20 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Gulu Court Orders Service of Election Petition Against Mao via Daily Monitor
The Gulu High Court has directed that Justice Minister Norbert Mao be served with an election petition challenging his parliamentary victory through publication in the Daily Monitor newspaper, after failed personal service attempts. The petition by NRM candidate Tonny Kitara alleges electoral irregularities in the Pece-Laroo Division race. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/use-the-daily-monitor-to-serve-minister-mao-court-orders-petitioner-5430402
Gulu High Court resident judge Phillip Odoki ruled on Monday that an election petition against Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao must be served via an advertisement in the Daily Monitor. This substituted service order came after Tonny Kitara’s lawyers reported unsuccessful attempts to reach Mao through known addresses, phone calls, and WhatsApp.
Kitara, who ran on the NRM ticket for the Pece-Laroo Division parliamentary seat in the January 16 elections, filed the petition earlier this month. He secured 2,867 votes, behind Mao’s 7,359 and Fr Onen’s 5,562. Kitara demands annulment of Mao’s win, citing violations like campaigning outside the scheduled program, using a government vehicle, late-night radio appearances, cash handouts, and false statements against rivals.
Lawyer Imran Gita affirmed in court that multiple service efforts failed. Justice Odoki granted the application, also mandating a copy of the petition be posted on the court’s notice board.
Previously, on April 1, the court ordered Mao to respond within 10 days, but he did not comply. Mao dismissed the petition on X last week as politically motivated, stating he targets petitioners’ backers, not the claims themselves.
Source: Daily Monitor