Politics 15 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Mukono High Court Excludes TikTok Videos in Bbaale Election Petition
The Mukono High Court has ruled against admitting six video recordings as evidence in the Bbaale County election petition, citing insufficient proof of authenticity and chain of custody. The court clarified that the evidence may still be admissible if presented through proper channels. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mukono-high-court-rejects-six-videos-in-bbaale-election-petition-5596382
The High Court in Mukono has rejected six video recordings presented by Arthur Kiiza, a petitioner challenging the election results for Bbaale County in Kayunga District. Justice Philip Mwaka ruled that the videos, which included three clips from TikTok and three others allegedly recorded by Stella Nakamonga, did not meet the legal standards for electronic evidence.
The court found that the petitioner had failed to establish a proper chain of custody for the TikTok videos, only proving their download from the internet. For the other three recordings, the court noted that Kiiza, not being the original recorder, could not personally authenticate them. The judge deemed the submission of these videos premature and untenable.
However, Justice Mwaka emphasized that this decision does not permanently bar the videos from being used as evidence. The petitioner has the liberty to reintroduce the recordings through the correct evidentiary procedures, adhering to the Electronic Transactions Act.
Interestingly, the court also noted that similar recordings were attached to affidavits from other parties involved in the case. These parties have been granted the opportunity to have the videos undergo forensic testing to establish their authenticity before potentially being presented as evidence.
This ruling highlights the strict requirements for admitting electronic evidence in court. The case is part of ongoing election petition hearings at the Mukono High Court following the 2026 General Election.