A former candidate for the Kalisizo Town Council LC5 councillor seat in Kyotera District has petitioned the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kyotera, seeking to overturn the election of the declared winner over alleged vote alterations and electoral irregularities.
In a petition filed before the court, Sebastian Kimera challenges the declaration of Hassan Kibirige as the duly elected LC5 district councillor representing Kalisizo Town Council following the Local Council elections held on January 22, 2026.
Kimera, who was one of three candidates in the race, argues that the Electoral Commission failed to conduct the election in accordance with the law and that irregularities committed by election officials substantially affected the final outcome.
According to the petition, the Electoral Commission declared Kibirige the winner before later publishing the official results in the Uganda Gazette on May 8, 2026. Kimera states that the victory margin between him and Kibirige was 149 votes, a result he now disputes.
The petitioner alleges that results from three polling stations at St. Raphael Primary School Bulinda were unlawfully altered in favour of Kibirige.
He claims that at St. Raphael Primary School Bulinda “B” (A-M), Kibirige’s tally was allegedly changed from 40 votes to 140 votes, a figure Kimera says exceeded the total number of votes cast at the polling station.
Kimera further alleges that at St. Raphael Primary School Bulinda “B” (N-Z), the respondent’s votes were increased from 71 to 271, which he also claims exceeded the total votes cast.
At St. Raphael Primary School Bulinda “A” (NAL-Z), he contends that Kibirige’s tally was altered from 58 votes to 88 votes.
The petitioner argues that the alleged alterations amount to material irregularities and illegal practices that significantly influenced the outcome of the election.
He also accuses the Electoral Commission of breaching its statutory duty by failing to ensure a free and fair electoral process and holds the commission responsible for the actions of its polling officials.
Through his lawyers, Kawanga & Kasule Advocates, Kimera is asking the court to declare that he was the validly elected LC5 district councillor for Kalisizo Town Council, claiming he obtained 1,410 votes.
He also wants the court to invalidate Kibirige’s election, award him the costs of the petition and grant any other relief it considers appropriate.
Court documents further show that notices have been issued requiring both Kibirige and the Electoral Commission to file their responses within 10 days of being served, failure of which the petition may be heard and determined in their absence.
ENDS.
