Politics 21 April 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Gulu High Court Allows Kitara Extra Time to Serve Election Petition to Elusive Mao via Daily Monitor
The High Court in Gulu has extended the deadline for Tony Kitara to serve his election petition against Norbert Mao and approved publication in the Daily Monitor after multiple failed personal delivery attempts. Kitara alleges irregularities in the Laroo-Pece Division race where Mao won with 7,359 votes to his 2,867. Source: https://observer.ug/news/court-grants-kitara-more-time-to-serve-elusive-minister-mao-via-newspaper
The High Court in Gulu granted former NRM parliamentary candidate Tony Kitara additional time to serve his election petition challenging Norbert Mao’s victory in the Laroo-Pece Division.
Resident Judge Philip Odoki ruled on April 20, approving substituted service through the Daily Monitor newspaper following unsuccessful personal delivery efforts.
Kitara filed Election Petition No. 001 of 2026 on April 1, claiming widespread irregularities impacted the January 15 election outcome. Official results show Mao received 7,359 votes against Kitara’s 2,867.
Lawyers Caleb Alaka and Evans Ochieng represented Kitara, whose team documented failed attempts including unanswered calls, WhatsApp messages, and a visit to Mao’s closed office at the Ministry of Justice.
Electoral law requires service within three days, but courts can allow alternatives if reasonable efforts fail. Judge Odoki noted the attempts coincided with Easter holidays and found merit in the application.
The court ordered publication of the petition’s first page and notice in the Daily Monitor, affixing to the court board, with Mao to collect the full document from the registry. He has 10 days to respond, or the case proceeds without him.
Costs will be decided at the main petition’s end. Kitara hailed the ruling as paving way for hearings. No comment from Mao, Democratic Party president general, was available.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)