Politics 6 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Mukono LC5 Election Heads to High Court Over Alleged Irregularities
The race for Mukono District LC5 chairperson is heading to the High Court as Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga files an election petition against rival Francis Lukooya Mukoome and the Electoral Commission, citing gross irregularities in the final vote declaration. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mukono-lc5-race-high-court-battle-looms-as-muyanja-serves-rival-lukooya-over-disputed-results-5487568
A legal battle is brewing over the Mukono District LC5 chairperson election, with petitioner Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga officially serving his rival, Francis Lukooya Mukoome, with an election petition. The petition, lodged at the Mukono High Court, challenges the controversial declaration of Mr. Lukooya as the winner of the 2026 district chairperson race.
Mr. Muyanja alleges that both Mr. Lukooya and the Electoral Commission (EC) engaged in significant irregularities during the final announcement of results. Court documents indicate that the respondents now have 10 days to file their defense, or the case will proceed without them.
The dispute stems from dramatic events on January 22, 2026, at the Mukono District Tally Centre. Initially, the Returning Officer, Ms. Emily Amongin, declared Mr. Muyanja the winner. However, this announcement was followed by widespread confusion and objections from supporters of Mr. Lukooya, who insisted their candidate had won.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that Mr. Muyanja was prevented from accessing the Returning Officer’s desk by security personnel, while the NRM District Chairperson reportedly met with electoral officials privately. Following this meeting and a temporary recess by the Returning Officer, the initial results were overturned without clear explanation, declaring Mr. Lukooya the victor with 52,523 votes to Mr. Muyanja’s revised tally of 52,105.
The Mukono District has a history of intense political competition. The abrupt reversal of the election results has drawn scrutiny from election observers regarding the process’s transparency and the role of security forces. The High Court’s examination of original Declaration of Results forms and the events at the tally centre will be key in determining the outcome of this case.