Begumisa contests Sembabule Woman MP election results, files High Court petition

Mary Begumisa, the former Member of Parliament for Sembabule District Woman, has formally challenged the election outcome of Florence Nambaziira, the declared winner from the NRM party. Begumisa is seeking a High Court declaration that she is the duly elected MP.

Her petition, filed in the Masaka High Court, alleges that the January 2026 election was significantly marred by irregularities that impacted the final results. The case has been assigned to Justice Thomas Ochaya, with hearings scheduled for October 14 and 15.

Further complicating matters, Nambaziira is expected back in court on September 28, 2026. This follows an application by Begumisa’s legal team raising concerns regarding the timely filing of essential court documents by the respondent.

Begumisa contends that the election process in Sembabule did not adhere to legal standards and that the announced results do not accurately reflect the voters’ intentions. She is therefore urging the court to annul Nambaziira’s victory and officially declare her the legitimate Member of Parliament for Sembabule District.

The petition also scrutinizes the conduct of the Electoral Commission during the election period. While Begumisa has presented allegations of electoral malpractices, these claims are yet to be substantiated in court.

Florence Nambaziira, who was initially declared the winner with 61,638 votes against Begumisa’s 24,495, has dismissed the challenge. She expressed confidence in her legal representation and the judicial process, assuring her supporters not to be intimidated and expecting to retain her seat.

This legal contest is part of a broader wave of election petitions stemming from the 2026 parliamentary elections, with numerous disputes from the Greater Masaka region currently under judicial review. The Judiciary has allocated multiple judges, including Justice Ochaya, to manage the influx of election-related cases in Masaka.