Presidential election petition: Court sets date for Kasibante electronic data results ruling
Zeija directed that the petitioner [Kasibante] will have until February 13, 2026, to file their submissions in court and serve the respondents [Museveni, EC and Attorney General].
Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija issued the date on February 3, 2026. (Photos by Juliet Kasirye)
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The Supreme Court says it will rule on an application by former presidential candidate Robert Kasibante seeking access to the Electoral Commission (EC) electronic data results on Friday, this week.
The panel, led by Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija issued the date on February 3, 2026, after directing the parties to file submissions in respect to the petition in which Kasibante is challenging the EC’s declaration of President Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the presidential election.
Other justices on the panel are Percy Night Tuhaise, Mike Chibita, Elizabeth Musoke, Stephen Musota, Christopher Madrama, Catherine Bamugemereire, Monica Mugenyi and Muzamiru Kibeedi Mutangula.
Zeija directed that the petitioner [Kasibante] will have until February 13, 2026, to file their submissions in court and serve the respondents [Museveni, EC and Attorney General].
The respondents have been directed to file their responses by February 15, while the petitioner may file a rejoinder, if any, by February 16, 2026.
The Chief Justice said the court will reconvene on February 18, 2026, to hear highlights of the parties’ submissions before a judgment date is announced.
The court also admitted by consent the documents agreed upon by the parties as exhibits for the determination of the petition.
In a petition filed in the court on January 18, 2026, Kasibante is challenging the EC’s declaration of Museveni as the winner of the presidential election. Kasibante alleges that Museveni committed electoral illegalities and that the EC and AG failed to comply with the law.
On January 17, 2026, EC declared Museveni, 81, of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), winner of the elections with 7,946,772 votes, representing 71.65% of the total valid votes.
His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP), came second with 2,741,238 votes (24.72%) in an eight-candidate race. The petitioner, Kasibante of the National Peasants Party, came sixth with 33,440 votes (0.3%).
Representation
Museveni is being represented by lawyers from K&K Advocates, who include Edwin Karugire, Sebuufu Usaama and Cara Kyasiimire. Other lawyers representing Museveni are Ebert Byenkya, Anthony Bazira, Johnfisher Kanyemibwa, Ronald Tusingwire and Esau Isingoma.
The EC is being represented by lawyers Mwesigwa Rukutana, Edigar Ayebazibwe, Eric Sabiiti and Enock Turatsinze. Kasibante is being represented by lawyers John Isabirye, Julius Galisonga and Ivan Bwowe.
Arguments for the application
Kasibante, who filed a petition challenging Museveni’s victory alongside the EC and Attorney General (AG), wants the court to grant him access to backend data from the EC’s electronic results transmission and dissemination system, as well as the tallying system used at the national tally centre in Lubowa, Kampala, for inspection and verification.
However, the lawyers representing Museveni have asked the Supreme Court to dismiss an application by former presidential candidate Robert Kasibante seeking access to Electoral Commission (EC) electronic results data, contending that it is incompetent and prejudicial to the President’s defence.
In a written submission filed on February 1, 2026, Museveni’s lawyers, led by Edwin Karugire, contend that granting the application would prejudice their client (Museveni), who has already filed his response to the matters raised in the petition.
“The application is incompetent and does not meet the grounds for its grant. We pray that this application is dismissed with costs to Museveni,” Karugire stated.