The High Court in Masaka has begun hearing election petitions arising from the recently concluded elections, with former Buyamba County Member of Parliament Amos Mandera seeking to withdraw a petition challenging the election of incumbent MP Gyaviira Ssemwanga.
Through his lawyer, Shemu Ssengendo, Mandera told the High Court, presided over by Justice Bernard Namanya, that he had decided to withdraw the petition to avoid what he described as possible divisions within the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Ssengendo told court that Mandera, who is currently receiving medical treatment, considered it wise to withdraw the case because both he and Ssemwanga are NRM supporters.
He argued that continuing with the petition could create conflicts and deepen divisions among NRM supporters in Rakai District.
However, Joseph Kyazze, the lawyer representing MP Ssemwanga, said he had no objection to the withdrawal of the petition.
Kyazze told court that his client and his legal team were already prepared to proceed with the hearing and were confident of victory, arguing that the petition lacked merit.
Justice Namanya, however, declined to immediately allow the withdrawal, noting that the petitioner was not physically present in court.
The judge also expressed reservations about relying solely on the lawyer’s request to withdraw the petition and advised the petitioner to formally communicate his decision to court in writing.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on the withdrawal application on September 17, 2026.
