Hearing of Hoima parliamentary election petition set for October 8
Mugenyi, through her lawyers led by Brian Rubaihayo of Mwesigwa Rukutana Advocates, on March 9, 2026, filed a case challenging Nyakato’s election. Mugenyi wants the court to nullify the results and order a fresh election.
Princess Diana Mugenyi in the courtroom of Hoima High Court as they waited for the Judge to start the hearing of the election petition. (Photos by Peter Abaanabasazi)
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The High Court sitting in Hoima has pushed the hearing of the Parliamentary Election petition filed by the National Resistance Movement flagbearer, Princess Diana Mugenyi, against the election of Hoima city woman Member of Parliament Asinansi Nyakato to October 8, 2026.
The hearing of the election petition is being presided over by Mbale resident Judge, Charles Kasibayo in Hoima City.
Mugenyi, through her lawyers led by Brian Rubaihayo of Mwesigwa Rukutana Advocates, on March 9, 2026, filed a case challenging Nyakato’s election. Mugenyi wants the court to nullify the results and order a fresh election.
This was after Nyakato of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF) was declared the winner of the January 15 election with 17,142 votes against Mugenyi’s 15,197.
On October 2, Nyakato's lawyers cross-examined Mugenyi and later the Hoima city election administrator, Obura Atamba Tibahemuka, before the matter was adjourned to October 8.
Addressing the media after the court proceedings, where journalists were not allowed, Sseggona said the proceedings went on well, and his client was ready to be cross-examined.
MP Nyakato (with headscarf) attending a court session
“The lawyers of the petitioner asked court to extend the hearing to another date, which the judge has granted, and he set October 8, as the date when we shall return here to continue with the proceedings. Our client was ready to be cross-examined, but since they pushed the hearing to another date, we shall come back,” Sseggona said.
One of Mugenyi's lawyers, Humphrey Tumwesigye, said the court proceedings went on well as they expected, but they could not cross-examine Nyakato because of limited time.
"The cause of the adjournment was that we proceeded from 9am to 9pm. Court cannot exceed midnight, so, the time was not enough for us to cross-examine Nyakato, and fatigue came in. We are human beings, we also get tired. We want to thank the Judge for the adjournment because it will help us to come back when we are fresh and with fresh questions,” he said.
By the time court adjourned the proceedings, hundreds of supporters of both candidates were still gathered outside the court premises.
There was heavy police and military deployment in anticipation of chaos from the warring groups.