Mubende Court Orders Vote Recount in Kassanda South Election Petition

Mubende High Court has ordered a recount of votes from specific polling stations in the Kassanda County South parliamentary election. The decision comes amid an election petition filed by independent candidate Eria Mubiru, who is challenging the win of National Resistance Movement (NRM) party legislator Abdul Bisaso.

Acting Judge Mary Babirye directed that votes from 14 polling stations be recounted, with an additional 15 to be chosen randomly from those mentioned in the petition. The recount is slated to commence on Friday, October 16, at 10 am. The Electoral Commission is required to deliver the necessary sealed ballot boxes and election materials to the court by 9 am on the same day.

The court stated that this exercise aims to verify whether the figures recorded on the declaration of results (DR) forms accurately represent the ballots cast. However, Justice Babirye clarified that the recount itself would not alter the declared results or determine the petition’s ultimate outcome, noting that its findings would be weighed as evidence alongside other testimonies.

Mubiru’s petition, lodged on March 31, 2026, alleges various electoral malpractices, including result falsification, ballot stuffing, and voter intimidation. The court considered evidence from Mubiru’s agents who disputed figures at several polling stations and raised concerns about potential impersonation of agents. Allegations of pre-ticked ballot papers found on polling day also contributed to the decision.

The court adopted a two-pronged approach for the recount. The first group of 14 stations involves specific numerical discrepancies highlighted by Mubiru. The remaining 15 will be selected by lot to investigate broader allegations like ballot stuffing. The judge cautioned against using the recount to introduce new challenges not properly pleaded.

Strict protocols are in place to ensure the integrity of the recount, including inspection of ballot box seals and the halting of the process if tampering is detected. Each party can have lawyers and up to three agents present. The Deputy Registrar will compile a detailed report of the findings. This order follows a previous ruling on October 8, 2026, where the court dismissed an earlier application for a recount before the petition’s hearing, without prejudice to Mubiru’s current request.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)