Mukono poll petition turns chaotic as missing witnesses found in petitioner’s car

MUKONO - The hearing of an election petition challenging the victory of Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze was temporarily disrupted at the High Court in Mukono on Tuesday after relatives of two men expected to testify in the case confronted security personnel at the court premises.

The relatives alleged that Joseph Yiga and Fred Ssebata, who had been missing since Sunday, were later found inside a white Toyota Alphard, linked to the petitioner, Daisy Sarah Sonko Nabatanzi.

The incident triggered a commotion at the court premises as the group claiming to be relatives demanded an explanation and attempted to pull them out of the vehicle.

As Police intervened to restore order, the two men and some of their relatives were arrested and taken to Mukono Central Police Station, according to the information provided by the family.

The circumstances surrounding the men’s reported disappearance, their movements between different locations and their presence in the vehicle had not been independently established by press time.

The incident occurred as Justice Godfrey Himbaza presided over the election petition filed by Nabatanzi, a National Resistance Movement (NRM) member, challenging Nambooze’s victory in the 2026 parliamentary elections.

Hon. Bakireke Betty Nambooze with her husband attending the court proceedings. (Credit: Eric Yiga)

Vincent Ngonge, identifying himself as one father to Ssebata, and Magumba said that the two men were allegedly picked up on Sunday and taken to an unknown destination.

They said the disappearance was reported to police under SD reference number 23/20/10/2026.

Dispute over witnesses

The incident added to an already tense legal battle involving the two rival camps.

Yiga and Ssebata were reportedly among six witnesses initially lined up to testify for Nabatanzi. They were later said to have sworn fresh affidavits in support of Nambooze, a development that has raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the preparation of the affidavits and the witnesses’ intended testimony

The disagreement over the witnesses has become a point of contention between the legal teams, with the parties expected to address the issues through the court process.

Aaron Buyinza, one of the lawyers representing Nabatanzi, disputed the allegations surrounding the witnesses and suggested that Nambooze’s side had reasons for approaching people initially expected to testify for the petitioner.

Buyinza argued that Nambooze’s actions raised questions about what the incumbent MP wanted to conceal.

However, the lawyer’s allegations about Nambooze’s motives had not been established by the court, and no judicial finding had been made linking either party to the men’s reported disappearance.

The circumstances under which the two men allegedly changed their positions, as well as the validity and implications of their affidavits, remain matters for the court to consider.

A police officer takes Juma Magumba, one of the alleged abductees' brothers, who was trying to rescue the suspect. (Credit: Eric Yiga)

Judge suspends proceedings

The commotion briefly interrupted proceedings before Justice Himbaza as security personnel intervened to restore calm. The judge temporarily suspended the proceedings while order was restored at the court premises. The hearing later resumed, with Nambooze’s lawyer, Medard Ssegona, cross-examining Nabatanzi.

Nambooze’s legal team included Ssegona, Erias Nalukoola and Daphine Ahebwa, while Nabatanzi was represented by lawyers including Ahmed Mukasa and Malik Kiberu. The proceedings were marked by tense exchanges as the rival legal teams addressed issues relating to the election petition and the handling of witnesses.

Nabatanzi questioned over petition

During cross-examination, Ssegona pressed Nabatanzi on matters relating to her challenge to Nambooze’s election victory. The exchanges became tense at points, adding to the charged atmosphere surrounding the hearing.  Buyinza later explained that Nabatanzi’s petition was not necessarily based on a claim that she had personally obtained more votes than Nambooze.

He said the petition was intended to challenge alleged violations of electoral laws and irregularities in the conduct of the election.

The case is expected to examine the allegations raised by Nabatanzi against the electoral process and whether the issues presented before the court warrant any legal remedy under the applicable election laws.