High court confirms Nyakato as Kitagwenda Woman MP
On allegations of voter bribery, including the installation of solar lamps in Katoogo, the judge held that Ninsiima had not proved her case, since no independent attendee at the rally and none of the installers testified.
Following the January 15 general elections, the Electoral Commission declared Nyakato the winner with 31,218 votes while Ninsiima polled 17,483 votes, giving Nyakato a margin of 13,735 votes. (File photo)
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The High Court in Fort Portal has confirmed Dorothy Nyakato as the duly elected Woman Member of Parliament for Kitagwenda District, dismissing a petition filed by her rival, Grace Ninsiima.
Ninsiima had asked the court to set aside the election of Nyakato, citing errors in the declaration of results forms, premature closure of polling stations, unauthorised voting and personation, ballot stuffing, interference with her agents and intimidation.
However, in a judgment delivered today (November 9, 2026), High Court judge Joanita Bushara upheld Nyakato’s victory, ruling that Ninsiima had failed to prove that Nyakato committed any electoral offence personally or that one was committed by another person with her knowledge, consent or approval.
“This conduct supports a finding of local non-compliance, but does not establish an illegal practice against the candidate under section 80(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act,” Justice Bushara noted.
On allegations of voter bribery, including the installation of solar lamps in Katoogo, the judge held that Ninsiima had not proved her case, since no independent attendee at the rally and none of the installers testified.
While Ninsiima had also asked the court to declare her the rightful winner, justice Bushara rejected the request, noting that she did not present a station-by-station recalculation, an alternative tally, the number of voters allegedly excluded or evidence of how any affected voters would have voted.
Following the January 15 general elections, the Electoral Commission declared Nyakato the winner with 31,218 votes while Ninsiima polled 17,483 votes, giving Nyakato a margin of 13,735 votes.
Dissatisfied with the results, Ninsiima filed the petition.
(Compiled by Farooq Kasule, Barbara Kabahumuza & Hillary Abinsinguza)