KAMPALA, Uganda (UGNEWSLINE) – The High Court in Kampala has expunged 19 witness affidavits filed by Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu in his petition challenging the election of Kawempe South MP Madiina Nsereko.
Justice Faridah Bukirwa removed the affidavits from the court record on Wednesday after Nyanzi’s lawyers failed to produce the witnesses.
Nyanzi’s lawyer, Alex Luganda, told court that they had filed 22 affidavits but managed to bring only four witnesses.
One was dropped for failing to present a valid national identity card, leaving three.
Luganda said the other 19 witnesses could not be reached by phone or found at their homes. He asked court for more time to look for them.
However, Nsereko’s lawyers, led by Ahmed Kalule, opposed the request, saying Nyanzi had been given a week to prepare his witnesses.
In her ruling, Justice Bukirwa said Nyanzi had failed to explain why the witnesses were missing despite having enough time to organise them.
Following the ruling, Kalule said Nsereko’s lawyers would not cross-examine the three remaining witnesses.
Nyanzi’s lawyers said they wanted to question Kampala District Returning Officer Rashid Hasakya about the election.
However, Electoral Commission lawyer Abubaker Kayondo told court that Hasakya had travelled to Iganga for official duties and could not be reached by phone.
The judge adjourned the case to October 19, 2026, for Hasakya’s cross-examination.
This is the second setback for Nyanzi, whose application to inspect original election documents from 73 polling stations was dismissed on September 29.
Nyanzi, a National Unity Platform candidate, is challenging the January 15 election results in which Nsereko, of the National Resistance Movement, won with 18,591 votes against his 11,292.
He alleges that votes were switched at 20 polling stations and results altered at another 53 stations in Nsereko’s favour. He wants court to nullify her election and declare him the winner.
