Inachu withdraws case challenging MP Alobo's election victory in Soroti
In a supporting affidavit, Inachu said she and Alobo had reached a mutual agreement to resolve the matter outside court.
Soroti City Woman MP Joan Achom Alobo has retained her seat after her challenger, Sarah Inachu, withdrew her petition. (Photos by Godfrey Ojore)
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Soroti City Woman MP Joan Achom Alobo is set to retain her parliamentary seat after her closest challenger, Sarah Inachu, withdrew the election petition she had filed against her in the High Court in Soroti.
Inachu, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate who finished second in the race, had filed a 36-page election petition on March 10, 2026, challenging Alobo's victory in the January parliamentary elections.
The petition had accused Alobo of electoral malpractice, including the alleged bribery of election officials, and also had faulted the Electoral Commission for allegedly failing to conduct a free and fair election.
According to the official election results, Alobo garnered 19,040 votes to secure her second term in Parliament, while Inachu polled 10,085 votes. The other candidates in the race were independents Juliet Agonyo, Emily Shila Amulo and Priscila Apolot.
In a turnaround in April, Inachu, through her lawyers, applied to the Soroti High Court for leave to withdraw Election Petition No. 01 of 2026.
Sarah Inachu who has withdrawn the election petition against the Soroti City Woman MP Joan Achom Alobo.
In her application, she requested the court to allow the withdrawal and order that each party bears its own legal costs.
"The petitioner no longer wishes to proceed with the petition for reconciliation and public interest," the application states.
In a supporting affidavit, Inachu said she and Alobo had reached a mutual agreement to resolve the matter outside court.
Despite seeking to withdraw the case, Inachu asked the court to direct that the security for costs she deposited be refunded or dealt with as the court deems appropriate.
"That I hereby request that the security for costs deposited by me be refunded or dealt with as the court directs," she stated.
Samuel Isodo, one of Alobo's lawyers, welcomed the move, saying his client was pleased that the matter was coming to an end.
"We are in discussions with the petitioner's lawyers on the terms of the withdrawal so that when we appear before court on Monday, we shall conclude the matter without unnecessary delays," said Isodo.
The High Court has scheduled the application for formal hearing and disposal on Monday (July 13), where the petition is expected to be officially withdrawn if the court grants the application.
For Isodo, her client has no objection to her application, saying that it will now save her the time she would have wasted in court, thereby contributing to development in the constituency.