What you need to know:
- During the January 15 polls, Electoral Commission results indicated that Lubega secured victory with 12,029 votes, followed by Lutaaya with 11,344 votes, independent candidate Edward Mukasa with 224 votes, and Democratic Party candidate Lilian Mbabazi with 91 votes. Lutaaya is seeking a court declaration nullifying Lubega’s election and declaring him the rightful winner, alleging widespread irregularities including the falsification of results at four polling stations.
The Masaka High Court Circuit has made key administrative changes to the judicial panel handling election petitions arising from the January General Elections in Sembabule and Kyotera districts following the sudden illness of Justice Thomas Ochaya.
According to Ms Roy Kalungi, the Masaka High Court Deputy Registrar, Justice Ochaya's illness forced the court to adjourn proceedings last week and reallocate his four assigned cases to other judges to prevent further procedural delays.
Under the new arrangements, the petition filed by National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Geoffrey Lutaaya challenging the victory of Ismael Othman Kaka Lubega in Kakuuto County has been reassigned to Justice Joyce Kavuma. The hearing is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, October 21, when the petitioner's legal team is expected to present its key witnesses.
MPs Dez Byuumab(2rd right) chats with Florence Nambaziira, Sembabule Woman MP and their supporters outside court on September 28, 2026. PHOTO/ MALIK FAHDI JJINGO
During the January 15 polls, Electoral Commission results indicated that Lubega secured victory with 12,029 votes, followed by Lutaaya with 11,344 votes, independent candidate Edward Mukasa with 224 votes, and Democratic Party candidate Lilian Mbabazi with 91 votes. Lutaaya is seeking a court declaration nullifying Lubega’s election and declaring him the rightful winner, alleging widespread irregularities including the falsification of results at four polling stations.
Meanwhile, the petition filed by NUP’s Gorreth Namugga contesting the election of National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Dez Oswald Byuuma in Mawogola County South has been handed to Justice Rosette Comfort Kania. Hearing for the case will run for three days starting October 26. In that contest, Byuuma emerged victorious with 25,781 votes against Namugga’s 4,857 votes, while independent candidates Denis Ddumba and Maurice Mukiibi scored 924 and 436 votes, respectively.
In Sembabule District, the petition filed by Mary Begumisa challenging the election of Florence Nambaziira as District Woman Member of Parliament will now be heard by Justice Christine Oyo Okot starting October 23.
In addition, the legal challenge brought by Kampala-based advocate Jet Tumwebaze against the victory of Mawogola North MP Godfrey Aine Kaguta Sodo has been reassigned to Justice Bernard Namanya. A new hearing date for the Mawogola North petition is yet to be scheduled.
Former legislator Geoffrey Lutaaya (3rd left) with his lawyer Abubakar Ssekanjako and Kyotera District Woman MP Rose F Nantongo (R) at Masaka High Court after court adjournment last month. Photo/ Malik Fahad
Both Namugga and Lutaaya, who served as lawmakers in the 11th Parliament, welcomed the judicial reassignments, expressing relief that their cases will finally move forward.
“We thank the Judiciary for swiftly intervening and allocating the petitions to other judges so that they can be heard,” Ms Namugga said in an interview on Tuesday.
Lutaaya urged his supporters to remain calm and patient as they navigate the judicial process.
The Masaka High Court Circuit, which operates with five resident judges, received the highest volume of election petitions in the country, totaling 20 cases. However, three parliamentary petitions have since been cleared after two were dismissed and one was voluntarily withdrawn. With two local council election petitions also withdrawn, the court circuit is currently hearing 15 active petitions.