Mukono Awaits Judicial Decisions as High-Stakes Election Petitions Near Conclusion

Tensions and expectations are running high in Mukono District as the High Court prepares to deliver judgments on major post-election petitions stemming from the January polls. Both legal teams and political camps are expressing optimism as the lengthy legal battles draw to a close.

In the Mukono Municipality petition, National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Sarah Daisy Sonko Nabatanzi is challenging the victory of incumbent legislator Betty Nambooze Bakireeke. During recent court proceedings before Justice Godfrey Himbaza, Ms Nambooze took the witness stand to defend herself against allegations of voter bribery, including claims involving a Ludo Club in Ssaza Village and unauthorized campaign transport.

Ms Nambooze strongly denied the accusations, maintaining that her campaign was conducted fairly and noting that she had instead faced political violence. Her legal team, led by Mr Medard Lubega Ssegona, asked the court to disregard several affidavits from the petitioner’s witnesses who failed to appear for cross-examination. Meanwhile, the petitioner’s lawyer, Mr Ahmed Kalule, defended the witnesses’ absence and expressed confidence in their submitted evidence. Justice Himbaza is scheduled to rule on the admissibility of those affidavits before setting a final judgment date.

Outside the courtroom, brief disorder erupted as rival supporters confronted each other in the compound, prompting police intervention to restore calm and disperse the crowds.

Meanwhile, the High Court has pushed its ruling date to November 23 in a separate, highly contested petition regarding the Mukono District chairperson seat. National Unity Platform’s Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga is challenging the victory of Mr Lukooya Mukoome Francis following a controversial reversal of results by the Electoral Commission, which initially declared Mr Muyanja the winner before altering the outcome in favor of Mr Lukooya.

As both legal battles near their final conclusions, residents and supporters across Mukono await judicial pronouncements that will ultimately settle the district’s disputed leadership. Read the full details on the Daily Monitor.