Politics 21 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
High Court Affirms Justine Nameere's Masaka Woman MP Election Victory After Recount
The High Court has dismissed an election petition challenging Justine Nameere's win as Masaka City Woman MP, upholding a court-ordered recount that revised the initial results. The court ruled that the recount was conducted lawfully and that alleged irregularities did not substantially alter the outcome. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/high-court-upholds-justine-nameere-s-woman-mp-recount-victory-5640190
The High Court has affirmed the election victory of Justine Nameere as the Member of Parliament for Masaka City Woman, dismissing a petition filed by her rival, Rose Nalubowa of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The legal challenge stemmed from the parliamentary elections held on January 15, 2026. Initially, the Electoral Commission had declared Nalubowa the winner with 25,443 votes over Nameere’s 20,324. However, Nameere successfully applied for a vote recount, citing the omission of results from several polling stations.
A subsequent recount, ordered by the Chief Magistrate’s Court and involving all 314 ballot boxes, revised the figures significantly. Nameere emerged with 25,502 votes, while Nalubowa secured 23,176 votes. This led to Nameere being declared the winner and subsequently gazetted.
Nalubowa’s petition sought to overturn the recount’s outcome, alleging procedural irregularities, the use of photocopied result forms, compromised ballot boxes, and the exclusion of nine polling stations. Her legal team argued that the recount exceeded statutory timelines and lacked proper supervision.
In response, Nameere’s representatives contended that the petition was an attempt to appeal the Chief Magistrate’s ruling and that the recount was conducted legally. The Electoral Commission supported the recount’s validity, affirming that the initial election was free and fair but subject to dispute resolution.
Delivering the judgment on October 21, 2026, the presiding judge found that the recount was executed within judicial discretion and statutory provisions. The court reasoned that while minor technical non-compliance might occur, the critical factor was whether the alleged irregularities substantially impacted the final result. The judge noted that the petitioner had the burden of proof to demonstrate such a substantial alteration, which was not met.
Consequently, the High Court upheld Nameere’s election, dismissing Nalubowa’s petition and ordering her to bear the legal costs. This ruling concludes the electoral dispute, solidifying Nameere’s position as the Masaka City Woman Representative.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)