Politics 13 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Judiciary to Hear 346 Election Petitions Starting Today
The Ugandan Judiciary has deployed 100 judicial officers to commence the hearing of 346 election petitions stemming from the 2026 Parliamentary and Local Council elections. The special program is set to run for two months, prioritizing these electoral disputes. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/hearing-of-346-election-petitions-starts-today-5594122
The Ugandan Judiciary is set to begin adjudicating a significant number of election disputes today, September 14. A total of 346 petitions, arising from the recent 2026 Parliamentary and Local Council elections, will be heard by a dedicated team of 100 judicial officers.
This special hearing program has been allocated two months, running until November 13. To manage the caseload effectively, 48 High Court judges and 52 Chief Magistrates have been assigned to 30 High Court circuits, the Civil Division of the High Court, and 26 Chief Magistrate Courts.
High Court judges will preside over 157 petitions, while Chief Magistrates will handle the remaining 189 cases. The hearings before the High Court are scheduled to conclude by November 13, with those in Chief Magistrate Courts expected to finish by October 30.
Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has issued strict directives to the assigned judicial officers, emphasizing the need for prompt case scheduling and hearings on consecutive days where possible. The aim is to prevent delays by avoiding unnecessary adjournments and handling interlocutory applications swiftly.
During this period, election petitions will be granted priority over all other judicial assignments. The Judiciary is committed to ensuring these electoral disputes are resolved within the established timelines. This decisive action by the Judiciary underscores its commitment to the timely resolution of election-related grievances.