KAMPALA (UGNEWSLINE) – The High Court in Kampala has postponed its ruling on a petition seeking to overturn Joel Ssenyonyi’s election as Nakawa Division West Member of Parliament to October 30, 2026.
Justice Allan Paul Nshimye informed the parties that the ruling was not ready, explaining that he had not completed writing the decision after receiving some documents late.
The petition was filed by Bwowe, who received 271 votes in the January 15 general election, against Ssenyonyi, the Electoral Commission and the Kampala District Returning Officer. He seeks to have the election nullified over what he describes as an unlawful nomination process.
Ssenyonyi, who serves as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, won the election with 21,761 votes, defeating seven other contenders.
At the centre of the dispute is the name used to identify the constituency in candidates’ nomination papers. Bwowe argues that candidates were nominated for “Nakawa West” rather than the legally recognised Nakawa Division West Constituency. He maintains that he was the only candidate correctly nominated and should therefore have been declared the winner without an election being held.
Ssenyonyi and the other respondents, however, want the court to dismiss the petition, arguing that Bwowe has failed to meet the legal requirements for filing an election petition.
Their submissions cite Section 79(2) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which provides for election petitions by unsuccessful candidates or registered voters supported by at least 500 registered voters from the constituency. The respondents contend that Bwowe has not properly satisfied either of the legal avenues provided for under the law.
They have also questioned whether the dispute can be brought before the court again, noting that Bwowe previously challenged the same constituency description before the general election. That case was dismissed by Justice Collins Acellam on January 8, 2026.
Lawyer John Musiime, representing the Electoral Commission, and Nalukoola Luyimbazi, representing Ssenyonyi, argue that the earlier proceedings settled the question of whether using “Nakawa West” in nomination documents invalidated the candidates’ nominations. They maintain that Bwowe cannot reopen the same issue through a fresh petition after the election.
The respondents further argue that Bwowe has not demonstrated that the alleged irregularity substantially affected the election results, which they say is an important consideration in determining whether an election should be nullified.
They have also challenged Bwowe’s affidavit, arguing that it contains legal opinions and conclusions rather than factual evidence. In addition, they have questioned the inclusion of the district returning officer in the case, contending that Bwowe has not demonstrated any personal wrongdoing or action by the officer outside the scope of official duties.
Bwowe, however, wants the court to determine the legality of Ssenyonyi’s nomination and election and declare him the rightful Member of Parliament for Nakawa Division West.
The October 30 court session is also expected to bring attention to a separate parliamentary election dispute involving Nakawa Division East. The petition was filed by jailed National Unity Platform Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro against National Resistance Movement candidate Fred Ruhindi over allegations of electoral malpractice.
Both cases arise from the January 2026 general elections and present separate legal challenges to parliamentary election results before the High Court.
