Politics
Nakaseke Woman MP Najjuma’s victory challenged
In defence, Najjuma asked the High Court to dismiss the petition, labelling it as incompetent and legally flawed. She says the alleged irregularities did not materially affect the final election results given the wide margin of her victory.
Najjuma also argues that the petitioner failed to provide concrete evidence that the cited individuals were actually deceased or that any voter turnout anomalies uniquely disadvantaged Nakawooya. (New Vision/Files)
By: Frederick Kiwanuka, Journalist @New Vision
LUWERO - The High Court in Luwero has fixed September 30 as the hearing date for an election petition filed by Esther Nakawooya challenging the election of Sarah Najjuma as the Nakaseke Woman Member of Parliament (MP).
Nakawooya, who stood on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket during the January 15 women MP elections in Nakaseke district, wants the High Court to nullify Najjuma's election, citing a series of irregularities.
Nakawooya's petition came after the Nakaseke District Returning Officer declared Najjuma as the winner with 55,455 votes against Nakawooya's 26,873 votes.
The Electoral Commission (EC) later updated the final certified tally in the Uganda Gazette, showing Najjuma with 56,151 votes and Nakawooya with 27,156 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Nakawooya petitioned the Luweero High Court in March 2026 seeking nullification of Najjuma’s victory.
The case, which came up for mention on Wednesday (September 16), is before visiting High Court judge Vincent Mugabo.
In her petition filed through Alaka and Company Advocates, Nakawooya argues that the election was marred by gross irregularities and that the election did not comply with the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Nakawooya said there were two conflicting results. "The EC issued two different results certificates with varying figures, raising suspicion about figure manipulation," she said.
In her petition, Nakawooya notes that 28 polling stations reported an impossible 100% voter turnout where all votes were cast exclusively for Najjuma.
The petitioner alleges that names of deceased persons remained on the register and were recorded as having voted.
The case, which came up for mention on Wednesday (September 16), is before visiting High Court judge Vincent Mugabo.
In her petition filed through Alaka and Company Advocates, Nakawooya argues that the election was marred by gross irregularities and that the election did not comply with the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Nakawooya said there were two conflicting results. "The EC issued two different results certificates with varying figures, raising suspicion about figure manipulation," she said.
In her petition, Nakawooya notes that 28 polling stations reported an impossible 100% voter turnout where all votes were cast exclusively for Najjuma.
The petitioner alleges that names of deceased persons remained on the register and were recorded as having voted.
Nakawooya also cites forged signatures of NUP polling agents with identical handwriting patterns across several declaration forms.
Najjuma's defence
In defence, Najjuma asked the High Court to dismiss the petition, labelling it as incompetent and legally flawed. She says the alleged irregularities did not materially affect the final election results given the wide margin of her victory.
Najjuma also argues that the petitioner failed to provide concrete evidence that the cited individuals were actually deceased or that any voter turnout anomalies uniquely disadvantaged Nakawooya.
Justice Mugabo has since fixed September 30 as the hearing date for the petition.
Najjuma's defence
In defence, Najjuma asked the High Court to dismiss the petition, labelling it as incompetent and legally flawed. She says the alleged irregularities did not materially affect the final election results given the wide margin of her victory.
Najjuma also argues that the petitioner failed to provide concrete evidence that the cited individuals were actually deceased or that any voter turnout anomalies uniquely disadvantaged Nakawooya.
Justice Mugabo has since fixed September 30 as the hearing date for the petition.