Court throws out Majegere recount petition for Bunya East
The court further observed that the petitioner did not pay security for costs amounting to thirty currency points as required by law. Based on the two grounds, court dismissed the petition.
Majegere (L) previously served as the Member of Parliament for Bunya East Constituency from 2011 to 2016 and again from 2016 to 2021, both times representing the National Resistance Movement. (Credit: Betty Angatai)
MAYUGE - The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mayuge on Friday dismissed an election petition filed by National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate James Waira Kyewalabye Majegere, who sought a recount of votes in the recently concluded parliamentary elections.
Majegere dragged to Court Alex Ekoro Irukan, who was declared the winner of the January 15 parliamentary race, alleging that the electoral process was marred by irregularities.
He petitioned seeking a vote recount in Bunya East Constituency. He said the results declared by the Electoral Commission did not reflect the true will of voters. The county comprises Bukabooli, Kigandalo, Mpungwe and Buwaya sub-counties.
Alex Ekoro Irukan, National Resistance Movement flag bearer, was declared the winner after defeating Hon. James Waira Kiwalabye Majerere. He garnered 13897 votes against Majegere’s 13573 votes.
However, in a ruling delivered by Chief Magistrate John Paul Osauro, the Court dismissed the petition on procedural grounds.
Osauro ruled that Majegere filed the application outside the legally stipulated timeframe.
According to electoral laws, any candidate seeking a vote recount must file the petition within four days after the official declaration of results.
Court noted that the applicant failed to meet this requirement, rendering the petition legally incompetent.
The court further observed that the petitioner did not pay security for costs amounting to thirty currency points as required by law. Based on the two grounds, court dismissed the petition.
Jamil Mukama Sanyu, who represented the respondent, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for the rule of law. He noted that election petitions must strictly comply with the legal framework guiding electoral dispute resolution.
Meanwhile, Majegere’s lawyer, Faizo Kilema, expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. He revealed that they are considering other legal options.
He said that there were additional serious irregularities observed during the election exercise, which were not addressed in the dismissed petition and could form a basis for a fresh petition.
The dismissal of the petition effectively upholds Ekoro’s victory as the Member of Parliament-elect for Bunya East Constituency.
Majegere previously served as the Member of Parliament for Bunya East Constituency from 2011 to 2016 and again from 2016 to 2021, both times representing the National Resistance Movement.
In the 2021 elections, he lost the NRM party ticket and subsequently the parliamentary seat to Hon. James Kubeketerya.
Ahead of the 2026 elections, Majegere defected to the National Unity Platform, under which he contested for the same seat.