Masaka District Woman Member of Parliament-elect Joan Namutaawe (NUP) has filed her defence in an election petition in which her rival, Joanita Nalule (NRM), is seeking to overturn her victory.
In the petition before the High Court in Masaka, Nalule challenges the outcome of the January 15, 2026 election, alleging that the process was marred by irregularities and should be set aside.
However, in her defence filed through M/s Ssekyewa, Matovu & Co. Advocates, Namutaawe maintains that she was duly and lawfully elected. She asks the court to find no merit in the petition and dismiss it with costs.
Namutaawe argues that the Electoral Commission properly conducted the election and validly declared her the winner.
She specifically cites polling at Kijonjo Church of Uganda and Buyaga Primary School A, noting that declaration forms from both stations were duly signed by the petitioner’s agents and used in tallying results.
She dismisses claims that results from the two polling stations were omitted, insisting that all results were available and transparently tallied in the presence of candidates, their agents, and security personnel.
“All results from polling stations were available at the time of tallying and were added by the returning officer in the presence of all parties. The allegations in the petition are baseless and unsupported by any evidence,” part of her defence reads.
Namutaawe also denies allegations of voter bribery said to have occurred in Kizigo, Kamuzinda, and Bbuliro A villages on the eve of the election.
“We have never given out money, gifts, or any items to influence voters. The bribery claims are false and intended to tarnish the image of the first respondent,” she states.
She further contends that her campaign was conducted peacefully across several parishes, including Kamuzinda, Kamwozi, Bugere, Kyantale, Zzimwe, and Buyaga, and that voters freely chose her based on her manifesto.
Her lawyer, Sam Ssekyewa, described the petition as frivolous and lacking any lawful or evidential basis to nullify the election outcome.
He maintains that the election was free, fair, and reflective of the will of the electorate, adding that no illegal practices were committed by his client or her agents.
“The allegations are mere conjecture, hearsay, and wholly unsupported by verifiable facts. There is no basis upon which the court can set aside the election,” Ssekyewa said.
The defence further argues that even if any irregularities had occurred, they were not substantial enough to affect the final outcome of the election.
Namutaawe’s legal team has asked the court to dismiss the petition with costs, insisting that Nalule is not entitled to any of the reliefs sought.
The case is now pending hearing before the High Court in Masaka.
