Politics
Court allows fresh filings in petition challenging Baryomunsi’s Kinkiizi East win
Arinaitwe was given two days to file his additional affidavit, while the respondent, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, was granted four days to file his response to the matters raised by the petitioner.
Kinkiizi East Member of Parliament and the Minister of Health, Chris Baryomunsi. (File photo)
By: Caleb Bahikaho, Journalist @New Vision
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The High Court in Rukungiri has adjourned the hearing of an election petition filed by Sam Arinaitwe Kajojo, challenging the election of Dr Chris Baryomunsi as Member of Parliament for Kinkiizi East, to September 24, 2026.
Arinaitwe was given two days to file his additional affidavit, while the respondent, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, was granted four days to file his response to the matters raised by the petitioner.
The directives issued on Monday (September 14) by presiding judge Richard Wejuri Wabwire are intended to allow both parties to present their respective positions and evidence before the court ahead of the next hearing.
Arinaitwe, who contested the Kinkiizi East parliamentary seat as an independent candidate, filed the petition challenging the declaration of Baryomunsi as the winner of the election for a fifth term as Member of Parliament.
Baryomunsi, the current health minister, succeeded Rev. Hamlet Kabushenga as Kinkiizi East MP in 2006 and has represented the people of Kinkiizi East in Kanungu to date.
Arinaitwe argues that the election was marred by irregularities and electoral malpractices that affected the outcome of the results.
He claimed the election in Kinkiizi East was a sham as his supporters were arrested, beaten, and ballot stuffing was rampant.
Baryomunsi was declared the winner of the Kinkiizi East parliamentary election after securing 23,830 votes, while Kajojo obtained 20,739 votes, giving Baryomunsi a majority of 3,091 votes.
Baryomunsi, the current health minister, succeeded Rev. Hamlet Kabushenga as Kinkiizi East MP in 2006 and has represented the people of Kinkiizi East in Kanungu to date.
Arinaitwe argues that the election was marred by irregularities and electoral malpractices that affected the outcome of the results.
He claimed the election in Kinkiizi East was a sham as his supporters were arrested, beaten, and ballot stuffing was rampant.
Baryomunsi was declared the winner of the Kinkiizi East parliamentary election after securing 23,830 votes, while Kajojo obtained 20,739 votes, giving Baryomunsi a majority of 3,091 votes.
However, Arinaitwe disputed the results and asked the High Court to examine the conduct of the election and the circumstances surrounding the declaration of the results.
Minister Baryomunsi told the press after the adjournment that the petitioner is wasting his time because he defeated him in an open election, both in the NRM party primary election and the general election.
"I defeated him two times, and I am sure that I will again defeat him for the third time here in court. The people of Kinkizi East voted for me massively because they know my capabilities,” Dr Baryomunsi said.
However, Arinaitwe said, "I am sure I won the election; that’s why I decided to go to court because they declared a wrong person".
He called on the people of Kinkizi East to stay calm as the case concludes.
Minister Baryomunsi told the press after the adjournment that the petitioner is wasting his time because he defeated him in an open election, both in the NRM party primary election and the general election.
"I defeated him two times, and I am sure that I will again defeat him for the third time here in court. The people of Kinkizi East voted for me massively because they know my capabilities,” Dr Baryomunsi said.
However, Arinaitwe said, "I am sure I won the election; that’s why I decided to go to court because they declared a wrong person".
He called on the people of Kinkizi East to stay calm as the case concludes.