Politics
Jinja mayoral election petition enters final evidentiary stage
Petitioner Mubaraka Kirunda closed his case on September 18, after seven of the witnesses he had lined up testified and were cross-examined before Justice Vincent Wagona.
Nagaya, who is affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), was declared winner of the Jinja city mayoral election, with Kirunda, a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, subsequently challenging the outcome in court.
By: Doreen Musingo, Journalist @New Vision
JINJA - The Jinja city mayoral election petition is moving into its final evidentiary stage, with the respondents expected to begin presenting their remaining witnesses when the High Court in Jinja resumes the hearing on September 23, 2026.
Petitioner Mubaraka Kirunda closed his case on September 18, after seven of the witnesses he had lined up testified and were cross-examined before Justice Vincent Wagona.
Kirunda sued Jinja City Mayor Abdulhafidh Nagaya and the Electoral Commission, challenging Nagaya's election over alleged voter irregularities during the mayoral polls.
Although Kirunda had initially listed 11 witnesses, only seven appeared in court and testified. The court was informed that some of the other witnesses had been dropped after the parties agreed that their evidence was no longer relevant to the proceedings.
Kirunda was represented by lawyer Abed Nasser Mudiobole, while Nagaya was represented by Lester Kaganzi. The Electoral Commission was represented by lawyer Jude Mwasa.
Mudiobole declined to comment on the substance of the petition, saying the matter was still under full trial and that commenting on the evidence could prejudice the proceedings.
Kirunda was represented by lawyer Abed Nasser Mudiobole, while Nagaya was represented by Lester Kaganzi. The Electoral Commission was represented by lawyer Jude Mwasa.
Mudiobole declined to comment on the substance of the petition, saying the matter was still under full trial and that commenting on the evidence could prejudice the proceedings.
“We do not want to comment on the case now because it is in full trial. Any comment can be prejudicial to the proceedings,” he said.
The court adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, September 23, when two remaining witnesses for the respondents are expected to testify.
Nagaya, who is affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), was declared winner of the Jinja city mayoral election, with Kirunda, a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, subsequently challenging the outcome in court.
Kirunda alleges voter irregularities and other electoral malpractices, while the respondents have contested the petition.
The court is expected to hear the remaining evidence on September 23, before closing the evidentiary stage of the petition.
The court adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, September 23, when two remaining witnesses for the respondents are expected to testify.
Nagaya, who is affiliated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), was declared winner of the Jinja city mayoral election, with Kirunda, a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, subsequently challenging the outcome in court.
Kirunda alleges voter irregularities and other electoral malpractices, while the respondents have contested the petition.
The court is expected to hear the remaining evidence on September 23, before closing the evidentiary stage of the petition.