Politics 29 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kitara Petitions Court to Nullify Mao's Laroo-Pece MP Victory Over Campaign Irregularities
Tonny Kitara, a former DP youth wing member, has filed a 41-page petition at Gulu High Court seeking to overturn Norbert Mao's election as MP for Pece-Laroo division. He accuses Mao of disrupting his campaigns, using official vehicles for campaigning, and engaging in voter bribery, while faulting the Electoral Commission for failing to intervene. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/here-is-why-kitara-wants-mao-s-election-victory-nullified-5441030
Tonny Kitara, who contested the Pece-Laroo division MP seat in Gulu City as a former Uganda Young Democrats member, has launched a legal challenge against Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao’s victory.
Through Alaka & Company Advocates, Kitara filed a petition against Mao and the Electoral Commission (EC), citing 18 grounds of misconduct that he claims violated the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Key allegations include Mao campaigning in Lawiyeadul ward on November 28, 2025, ignoring the EC’s harmonized schedule and disrupting Kitara’s activities. Mao is also accused of using local radio stations like Mega FM, Speak FM, and Rupiny Radio for late-night campaigning on January 13-14, 2026, breaching Section 38(5) of the Act.
Kitara further claims the EC allowed Mao to use his official vehicle (UG 2460002) and police escorts for campaigning, providing an unfair edge. Additional issues raised are issuing voter slips at a nighttime rally on December 23, 2025, exceeding campaign hours, cash handouts, bribery, and false statements against rivals.
Kitara argues these violations substantially impacted the results and seeks to void Mao’s January 16 win, order a fresh poll, and claim costs.
The Gulu High Court issued a 10-day ultimatum for Mao to respond after failed personal service attempts, with a notice published in the Daily Monitor warning of potential ex-parte proceedings.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)