Jinja city mayoral election petition awaits judgment on notice
Court on September 28, 2026, heard the final oral submissions, with the petitioner’s legal team, led by counsel Abed Nasser Mudiobole and Nasser Mubonde, presenting its arguments first.
The submissions marked the end of the hearing of the petition filed by National Unity Platform (NUP) former candidate Kirunda Mubarak, who is challenging Nagaya’s election. (File photo)
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Jinja High Court will deliver judgment on notice in the election petition challenging the election of Jinja city mayor Abdulhafidh Nagaya after both parties completed their oral submissions before Justice Vincent Wagona.
The submissions marked the end of the hearing of the petition filed by National Unity Platform (NUP) former candidate Kirunda Mubarak, who is challenging Nagaya’s election.
Court on September 28, 2026, heard the final oral submissions, with the petitioner’s legal team, led by counsel Abed Nasser Mudiobole and Nasser Mubonde, presenting its arguments first.
The petitioner’s lawyers argued that irregularities in the declaration of results at several polling stations substantially affected the outcome of the mayoral election.
Mubonde cited Masese Lake Site Park Yard polling station, where he alleged that Nagaya’s 25 votes were altered to 125, and East Secondary School polling station in Buyala, where he alleged that Nagaya’s 38 votes were changed to 338, among others.
The lawyers asked the court to cancel the election results and order a fresh mayoral election.
Nagaya’s lawyer, counsel Lester Kaganzi, rejected the allegations and asked the court to dismiss the petition with costs to the petitioner.
The defence argued that the allegations of rigging had not undermined Nagaya’s victory and maintained that the electoral process and results should stand.
After hearing both sides, Justice Wagona advised the parties, their supporters and the public to remain calm and avoid chaos as they await the court’s decision.
The judge noted that both sides had been given an opportunity to present their cases, including evidence and submissions, and urged them to respect the outcome of the judicial process.
Speaking after the proceedings, Nagaya thanked his supporters, lawyers and others who participated in the case, saying the focus should now shift to unity and service delivery.
“Let us take everything in good faith and be sober enough to accept. I want to appeal to the general public to still be calm and wait,” Nagaya said.
He said both parties had presented their evidence and that he was confident that the court would uphold his election.
“For us, we know that the petition has no merit and we are confident that the judge will find the same and confirm the decision,” Nagaya said.
He hoped the outcome would allow the city to concentrate on development and service delivery.
Nagaya and Kirunda contested for the Jinja city mayoral seat in the 2026 elections, with Kirunda subsequently petitioning the court to challenge the results.