Politics
Court clears Kitagwenda poll petition hearing against MP Mugabe
In a ruling delivered on November 5th, 2026, Justice Joanita Bushara allowed the petition filed by his challenger, Agaba Abbas Mugisha, to proceed to a full hearing.
Mugabe had challenged the petition on grounds of improper service, inclusion of historical allegations, failure to first seek intervention from the Electoral Commission, and a pending civil case concerning the cancellation of his academic qualifications.
By: Hillary Abinsinguza, Journalist @New Vision
FORT PORTAL - The High Court in Fort Portal has dismissed four preliminary objections raised by Kitagwenda County MP, Robert Mugabe, in an election petition challenging his victory in the January 2026 parliamentary elections.
In a ruling delivered on November 5th, 2026, Justice Joanita Bushara allowed the petition filed by his challenger, Agaba Abbas Mugisha, to proceed to a full hearing.
Mugabe had challenged the petition on grounds of improper service, inclusion of historical allegations, failure to first seek intervention from the Electoral Commission, and a pending civil case concerning the cancellation of his academic qualifications.
However, Justice Bushara ruled that serving the petition through WhatsApp was valid, and that the other objections were insufficient to stop the case from being heard on its merits.
After hearing from both sides, with the preliminary objections now dismissed, Court has set a tight programme, stating that the petition will proceed to full hearing and the expected set dates are as follows for filing of submissions and delivery of judgment.
▪️12th November 2026 - Petitioner to file submission
Agaba Abbas Mugisha
After hearing from both sides, with the preliminary objections now dismissed, Court has set a tight programme, stating that the petition will proceed to full hearing and the expected set dates are as follows for filing of submissions and delivery of judgment.
▪️12th November 2026 - Petitioner to file submission
▪️16th November 2026 - 1st Respondent to file defence
▪️17th November 2026 - Petitioner to file rejoinder
▪️20th November 2026 - Judgment to be delivered
With the preliminary objections now dismissed, the petition will proceed to full hearing, with the Court expected to set dates for filing of submissions and delivery of judgment.
In the January 2026 election, Mugabe won with 33,249 votes against Agaba’s 10,193.
▪️17th November 2026 - Petitioner to file rejoinder
▪️20th November 2026 - Judgment to be delivered
With the preliminary objections now dismissed, the petition will proceed to full hearing, with the Court expected to set dates for filing of submissions and delivery of judgment.
In the January 2026 election, Mugabe won with 33,249 votes against Agaba’s 10,193.