Gomba East MP Saazi appeals election nullification
Saazi wants the Court of Appeal to set aside; the findings relating to the nine polling stations, the declaration that the parliamentary seat is vacant, and the order to the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election.
Saazi was declared the winner with 10,907 votes against Kirumira's 9,156, giving him a majority of 1,751 votes.
GOMBA - Gomba East MP Godfrey Saazi has appealed against the High Court decision nullifying his election and ordering the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh poll.
In a notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal on November 2, 2026, Saazi challenges the findings of High Court judge Jamson Karemani concerning electoral irregularities at nine polling stations where no results were returned during the January 15, 2026 parliamentary election.
The notice of appeal indicates that Saazi is dissatisfied with part of the judgment delivered on October 26, 2026, in Election Petition No. 0003 of 2026.
Saazi wants the Court of Appeal to set aside the findings relating to the nine polling stations, the declaration that the parliamentary seat is vacant, and the order to the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election.
He has also asked the appellate court to order each party to bear its own costs.
The appeal follows a petition filed by Henry Harris Kirumira Kalule, who challenged Saazi's victory in the Gomba East County parliamentary election.
Saazi was declared the winner with 10,907 votes against Kirumira's 9,156, giving him a majority of 1,751 votes.
In his judgment, Karemani nullified Saazi's election after finding that irregularities at 13 polling stations substantially affected the outcome.
The four polling stations whose results were omitted were Buyana Trading Centre, Tiginya SDA Primary School, Kiziba Trading Centre (NAKE-Z) and Buyinja Butoole Primary School B (Kigongo-Lugingi).
The declaration of results forms showed that Kirumira obtained 453 votes from the four polling stations, while Saazi received 366 votes
When the results were added, Kirumira's votes increased to 9,609, while Saazi's rose to 11,273, reducing the winning margin to 1,664 votes.
However, the judge found that the omission of results from the four polling stations did not, on its own, substantially affect the outcome of the election.
The court's decision was based on the irregularities at the other nine polling stations, which had 4,387 registered voters.
The affected polling stations were Ttaba Trading Centre, Buyebeyi C.O.U, Kimbo Catholic Church (A-NAKA), Kimbo Catholic Church (NAKE-Z), Serumbe UMEA Primary School A (Golola A), Jumbi C.O.U, Serumbe UMEA Primary School B (Kibaka), Kindimunda Playground and St Peter Primary School-Ngeribalya.
According to the evidence presented in court, voting was disrupted, and electoral materials were destroyed, leaving no results to be included in the final tally.
The judge found that the Electoral Commission had failed to provide the secure conditions necessary for the conduct of elections at the affected polling stations.
He also noted that the evidence did not establish who orchestrated the chaos that led to the destruction of electoral materials and that the incident could not be attributed to any of the candidates.
He ruled that the number of affected voters was significant in relation to the winning margin and that non-compliance with electoral laws substantially affected the election outcome.
The judge consequently set aside Saazi's election, declared the parliamentary seat vacant and ordered the Electoral Commission to organise a fresh election.
In his appeal, Saazi has indicated that he is not challenging the other findings and orders made by the High Court.
These include the finding that he did not personally commit the alleged illegal practice of obstructing voters at Emmanuel Male Compound polling station.
The original petition had accused him of obstructing voters, contrary to Section 90 of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
However, the judge found that there was no evidence proving that Saazi personally committed the alleged offence.O
Kirumira was represented by Jude Byamukama and Patience Babiwemba, while Saazi was represented by Joseph Kyazze and David Ddungu.
The Gomba district returning officer and the Electoral Commission were represented by Paul Karenga and Travis Namanya.
Saazi is represented in the appeal by M/s Magna Advocates.