The High Court in Masaka will rule on December 14 on Scola Kalibbala Besigye’s challenge to Fortunate Rose Nantongo’s election as Kyotera Woman MP over disputed declaration of results forms and alleged electoral irregularities.
The High Court in Masaka has set December 14, 2026, to deliver its ruling in an election petition filed by National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Scola Kalibbala Besigye challenging Fortunate Rose Nantongo’s election as Kyotera District Woman Member of Parliament.
The hearing, presided over by Justice Rossette Kania, centred on disputed declaration of results (DR) forms and allegations that irregularities in the handling of election records affected the outcome of the parliamentary contest.
During the proceedings, Kyotera District Electoral Commission returning officer Esther Asiimwe was questioned by lawyers representing Kalibbala over disputed election documents from several polling locations, including Kisuula Primary School, Teefe Teefe Cell and Kamwanyi Catholic Church.
Kalibbala’s legal team questioned Asiimwe about the status and accuracy of the disputed declaration of results forms, raising concerns about whether the documents contained the necessary information and were properly maintained in the Electoral Commission’s records.
One of the documents under scrutiny was reportedly associated with Kisuula Primary School, where the petitioner’s lawyers questioned its completeness despite its alleged certification by the Electoral Commission.
The lawyers also raised concerns about results documentation relating to Teefe Teefe Cell and Kamwanyi Catholic Church, alleging that the number of ticks recorded exceeded the number of registered voters.
They argued that the alleged discrepancies required explanation from the electoral officials responsible for managing and declaring the results.
However, Asiimwe denied the allegations concerning the disputed forms, maintaining that the documents being referred to were not available in the Electoral Commission’s records system.
Her testimony placed the existence, status and authenticity of the disputed documents at the centre of the proceedings, with the court expected to assess the evidence presented by both sides.
The alleged irregularities remain claims by the petitioner and have not been established as findings of the court.
Following Asiimwe’s testimony, Babu Ssali, one of the lawyers representing Kalibbala, made further submissions in support of the petition.
Kalibbala is challenging Nantongo’s victory on allegations that irregularities in the electoral process compromised the results. She also alleges that Nantongo colluded with the Electoral Commission to deny her victory, a claim that remains contested.
The petition raises questions about the handling of election documentation and the procedures followed in recording and declaring results.
The court is expected to determine whether the evidence and arguments presented by the petitioner establish grounds for overturning or otherwise interfering with Nantongo’s election victory.
Nantongo, through her lawyers led by Sam Muyizzi, expressed confidence in her defence and maintained that she expected to prevail in the case.
Her legal team dismissed the challenge to her election victory and said it remained confident despite what it described as attempts to interfere with the outcome of the electoral contest.
The respondent’s position contrasts with Kalibbala’s allegations, leaving Justice Kania to determine the merits of the petition based on the evidence and legal submissions presented during the hearing.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Justice Kania scheduled December 14, 2026, for the delivery of the ruling.
The decision will determine the outcome of Kalibbala’s legal challenge to Nantongo’s election as Kyotera District Woman MP.
Both candidates are now awaiting the court’s determination of the disputed election records and the allegations surrounding the electoral process.