Drama at Wakiso High Court as NRM's Abdul Kiyimba Defends Academic Papers and Vote Counts

Court proceedings at the Wakiso High Court turned dramatic on Friday as National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary candidate for Busiro East, Hajji Abdul Kiyimba, took the stand to defend his disputed election petition.

Kiyimba is currently challenging the victory of incumbent Member of Parliament Emmanuel Matovu Magoola following the January 2026 general elections. However, the hearing quickly shifted focus toward Kiyimba’s own academic credentials and literacy capabilities.

Upon taking the stand, Kiyimba requested to testify in Luganda, citing it as his most comfortable language. This request immediately drew the attention of presiding Judge George Okello. The judicial scrutiny intensified when it was revealed that Kiyimba’s legal team had filed his petition and supporting affidavits under the Illiterates Protection Act.

Justice Okello questioned how a candidate seeking a parliamentary seat—which legally requires a minimum academic qualification of an Advanced Level certificate or its equivalent under Section 6 of the Parliamentary Elections Act—could simultaneously execute sworn court documents as an illiterate person.

During the cross-examination led by Abdul Katuntu, who represents the incumbent MP, Kiyimba was pressed heavily on his sworn declarations and whether he could read or comprehend English. The line of questioning sparked a tense atmosphere in the courtroom as legal teams sparred over the validity of the documents and the discrepancies found within the Declaration of Results forms presented by the petitioner.

The court continues to review the matter as lawyers on both sides battle over the legal implications of the candidate’s literacy status and the integrity of the contested vote tallies.

Read more details on the Daily Monitor.