Kimanya-Kabonera Election Petition: Ruling Set for November 23

Justice Joyce Kavuma of the High Court in Masaka has scheduled November 23, 2026, as the date to deliver a ruling on an election petition concerning the Kimanya-Kabonera parliamentary seat. The petition was filed by Robert Asiimwe, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, who is contesting the election of Patrick Kuteesa from the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Asiimwe’s challenge centers on alleged irregularities and omissions in the results from six polling stations, which he claims significantly impacted the election’s outcome. The petition also raises questions about the authenticity and consistency of certain Declaration of Results (DR) forms.

A key piece of evidence presented was the testimony of Catherine Namuwaya, a document examiner from the Government Analytical Laboratory. She highlighted discrepancies between DR forms submitted by Asiimwe’s legal team and those held by the Electoral Commission. These included inconsistencies in signatures and spelling on forms from polling stations like Kasijjagirwa and Kasango Playground.

However, the court noted that these discrepancies do not automatically prove forgery or impact the election results. Election officials from the cited polling stations also testified, stating they had submitted the required DR forms to the Electoral Commission and expressed confusion over the Commission’s records indicating unavailability.

Lawyers for Patrick Kuteesa accused the Electoral Commission of collaborating with Asiimwe to overturn their client’s win. They also argued that the document examiner’s findings actually weakened the petitioner’s case due to the identified inconsistencies.

Both Kuteesa and Asiimwe, through their legal representatives, have expressed confidence in their respective cases, awaiting the court’s decision. The ruling will hinge on the court’s assessment of all presented evidence, including the disputed documents, official testimonies, and legal arguments.

Source: Nile Post