The High Court at Mpigi has permitted musician-turned-politician Hillary Innocent Kiyaga, popularly known as Dr Hilderman, to serve his election petition challenging former Trade Minister Amelia Anne Kyambadde’s victory in Mawokota North through substituted service after repeated attempts at personal delivery failed.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, April 2, 2026, Acting Justice Deepa Verma granted an enlargement of time and authorised alternative methods of service in matters before court.
“The applicant publishes the Notice of the Election Petition No. 01 of 2026 in the New Vision and Daily Monitor publications. The applicant is ordered to affix a copy of the petition and notice of presentation on the notice board of the High Court of Uganda at Mpigi,” the ruling accessed at ULII website reads in part.
Justice Verma further directed Dr Hilderman to send a copy of the petition, the notice of presentation and all attachments to Amelia Kyambadde’s known WhatsApp number.
Dr. Hilderman, the National Unity Platform (NUP) incumbent MP for Mawokota North, filed a petition on March 23, 2026, challenging the outcome of the January 15 parliamentary elections. The Electoral Commission had declared Kyambadde of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) the winner. Hilderman alleges irregularities and maintains he was the rightful victor.
Court records show process server Thomas Mukama made multiple attempts to serve Kyambadde personally. On March 24, he visited her workplace but was told she was unavailable and given her phone number. Subsequent calls reportedly met with refusal to disclose her location. Attempts the following day at her residence in Galabi Nakyasanja, Muduuma, and by Hilderman’s lawyers, were also unsuccessful, with the respondent allegedly hanging up upon learning the purpose of the calls. Hilderman told the court he believes Kyambadde deliberately avoided service.
Justice Verma observed that while the Parliamentary Elections Act sets strict timelines for election petitions, the Parliamentary Elections (Election Petitions) Rules allow courts to extend time in special circumstances.
Citing precedents including Kiiza Besigye v Museveni, she found that the petitioner had made genuine efforts to comply within the required seven-day period and filed the application promptly.
The judge approved substituted service, noting it was necessary to ensure the matter proceeds fairly while giving the respondent an opportunity to defend herself. The petition is expected to move forward once the service is completed.
