The Luwero High Court has set dates for the hearing of the election petition filed by former Nakaseke Central Member of Parliament Allan Mayanja, who is seeking to nullify the election results that favored his rival, Kabuye Kyofa, the Minister of State for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs.
Kyofa defeated Mayanja after garnering 13685 votes and incumbent received only 8178 votes.
Mayanja of National Unity Platform, aiming to reclaim his seat after a fiercely contested election, rushed to Luwero High Court and filed a petition arguing that the electoral process at 31 polling stations was fundamentally flawed, rendering the final results illegitimate.
Through his legal team from M/S Lukwago and Company Advocates, he has outlined a series of alleged electoral malpractices that he claims unfairly benefited Kyofa.
In his petition, Mayanja pointed out discrepancies where the number of votes cast at certain stations exceeded the number of verified voters, raising suspicions of ballot stuffing. He contends that the results were manipulated in favor of Kyofa and that the Electoral Commission failed to declare accurate results.
During a pre-trial hearing today before Justice Samuel Emokor, both Mayanja and Kyofa were present. Mayanja’s lawyer, Lawrence Kabuye, requested permission to submit an additional affidavit containing a handwriting expert’s report to substantiate claims of falsified declaration forms. However, Electoral Commission lawyer Nasser Sserunjogi objected, arguing that the petitioner was beyond the deadline for such submissions.
Justice Emokor ultimately granted Mayanja’s request, emphasizing that it would benefit both parties, but cautioned against introducing further evidence during the hearing. The judge allowed Mayanja until Friday to retrieve the expert report and serve it to the Electoral Commission and the respondent, with replies due by Wednesday, September 23rd, and rebuttals by September 25th, 2026.
The judge scheduled the main hearing for October 12th to 16th, directing both parties to exchange a Joint Scheduling Memorandum beforehand. Each side will be allotted two days for their presentations, with the hearing concluding on the fifth day.
Speaking to journalists after the adjournment, Mayanja expressed confidence in receiving justice, citing evidence that demonstrates electoral manipulation by the Electoral Commission and incumbent MP Kyofa.
In contrast, Kyofa maintained that he legitimately won the election and has engaged skilled legal representation to defend his position. He is being represented by Eddy Ssansa Luwaga of JN Kateregga Advocates and Legal Consults, along with Ntambirweki Kandeebe of M/S Ntambirweki Kandeebe and Company Advocates.
This development sets the stage for a high-stakes legal battle. The burden of proof now lies heavily on Mayanja’s legal team to provide evidence, witness testimonies and other information to substantiate their claims before the court.
Meanwhile, the court has scheduled a pre-trial hearing for Wednesday in the case filed by Esther Nakawooya of the National Unity Platform, challenging the declaration of Sarah Najjuma as the duly elected District Woman Member of Parliament.
Additionally, the court will conduct a pre-trial hearing for the case filed by former Youth Central Member of Parliament Agnes Kirabo, who is contesting the declaration of Brenda Nabukenya as the duly elected District Woman Member of Parliament for Luwero District.
