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Kitgum High court dismisses minister Anywar's election petition
Anywar alleged that there was collusion between the Electoral Commission officials and Amere’s agents, voter bribery, intimidation, violence, and harassment of her agents and supporters.
Minister Beatrice Anywar (pictured) filed the petition challenging the election of Amere as the Member of Parliament for Kitgum Municipality in Kitgum District. (File photo)
By: Jackson Kitara, Journalist @New Vision
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Kitgum High Court has today (November 9) dismissed the election petition filed by Beatrice Anywar, the Minister of State for Water and Environment, against Denis Onekalit Amere, the Electoral Commission and Betty Atim Owot, the district returning officer, for lack of merit.
The minister filed the petition challenging the election of Amere as the Member of Parliament for Kitgum Municipality in Kitgum District.
She petitioned court after she obtained 5,013 votes, while Amere, who was declared the winner, obtained 6,176 votes during the January 15, 2026, elections.
Anywar alleged that there was collusion between the Electoral Commission officials and Amere’s agents, voter bribery, intimidation, violence, and harassment of her agents and supporters.
She further alleged that the Electoral Commission and district returning officer failed to discharge their statutory duties, resulting in non-compliance with electoral laws and irregularities that substantially affected the election results.
Anywar contended that the election was marred by irregularities and illegalities, including the deliberate non-use of Biometric Voter Verification Kits, which allegedly facilitated multiple voting, ballot stuffing, and voting by unauthorised persons. She accused Owot of negligence, incompetence, bad faith, and failure to perform her statutory duties.
But the court presided over by Kitgum High Court Judge Amos Kwizera found that the petitioner (Anywar) did not discharge the burden of proving the alleged violence and intimidation to the satisfaction of the court as offences attributable to the first respondent (Amere) under section 80(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
She further alleged that the Electoral Commission and district returning officer failed to discharge their statutory duties, resulting in non-compliance with electoral laws and irregularities that substantially affected the election results.
Anywar contended that the election was marred by irregularities and illegalities, including the deliberate non-use of Biometric Voter Verification Kits, which allegedly facilitated multiple voting, ballot stuffing, and voting by unauthorised persons. She accused Owot of negligence, incompetence, bad faith, and failure to perform her statutory duties.
But the court presided over by Kitgum High Court Judge Amos Kwizera found that the petitioner (Anywar) did not discharge the burden of proving the alleged violence and intimidation to the satisfaction of the court as offences attributable to the first respondent (Amere) under section 80(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
"No single electoral offence or malpractice as alleged by the petitioner has been proved to the required standard," said Justice Kwizera.
Anywar, a former candidate for Kitgum Municipality on the National Resistance Movement ticket. She previously served as the Member of Parliament representing Kitgum Municipality in the 10th Parliament.
In the petition, Anywar was represented by Cumberland Advocates and Bashasha and Company Advocates; Amere was represented by Asuman Basalirwa and Company Advocates and Barirere and Company Advocates; while the Electoral Commission and Owot were represented by ALP Advocates.
In his judgment, Justice Kwizera dismissed the petition with costs for lack of merit.
Kwizera said the judgment has been transmitted to all parties through emails of their respective advocates today under the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2025, Statutory Instrument 21 of 2025.
Anywar, a former candidate for Kitgum Municipality on the National Resistance Movement ticket. She previously served as the Member of Parliament representing Kitgum Municipality in the 10th Parliament.
In the petition, Anywar was represented by Cumberland Advocates and Bashasha and Company Advocates; Amere was represented by Asuman Basalirwa and Company Advocates and Barirere and Company Advocates; while the Electoral Commission and Owot were represented by ALP Advocates.
In his judgment, Justice Kwizera dismissed the petition with costs for lack of merit.
Kwizera said the judgment has been transmitted to all parties through emails of their respective advocates today under the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2025, Statutory Instrument 21 of 2025.