Politics 20 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Masaka Woman MP Election Dispute: Court to Rule on Nalubowa's Petition Against Nameere
The High Court in Masaka is set to deliver a judgment tomorrow regarding the election petition filed by NUP's Rose Nalubowa, who is challenging the victory of Justine Nameere for the Masaka City Woman MP seat following a controversial recount. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/masaka-city-mp-seat-court-set-to-deliver-ruling-in-nalubowa-nameere-election-dispute-5639582
The High Court in Masaka will on Wednesday deliver its much-anticipated ruling on an election petition concerning the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament seat. The petition was lodged by Rose Nalubowa of the National Unity Platform (NUP), challenging the election of Justine Nameere, who also serves as the State Minister for Local Government.
Nalubowa seeks to have Nameere’s victory nullified, asserting that she is the rightful legislator. The crux of the legal battle lies in a vote recount ordered by Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe in February 2026. Initial results from the January parliamentary elections had placed Nalubowa ahead by over 5,000 votes. However, the subsequent recount reversed this outcome, declaring Nameere the winner.
The recount process itself has faced significant scrutiny. Observers pointed out that Chief Magistrate Asiimwe had previously expressed reservations about presiding over similar recounts due to issues like broken ballot box seals, which are typically grounds for disqualification according to High Court precedents.
During the court proceedings, Nameere testified via Zoom, asserting the fairness of the recount. She claimed that Nalubowa’s representatives, including her legal counsel, had withdrawn from the Electoral Commission offices during the final stages, forfeiting their right to observe. Nameere also stated that ballot boxes with compromised seals were excluded from the final tally, with justifications provided for each exclusion.
The defense team for Nameere subsequently withdrew five scheduled witnesses, a move not opposed by the petitioner’s counsel. The Electoral Commission, represented by its legal officer Enock Kugonza, maintained that the commission acted according to the certified results from the court-ordered recount. Justice Bernard Namanya has set noon for the ruling, which will be delivered via email.