COURT (UGNEWSLINE) – The High Court has upheld the election of Waiswa Joel Azalwa as Busiki County Member of Parliament in Namutumba District, dismissing a petition filed by his rival Paul Akamba over alleged electoral irregularities.
In a judgment delivered electronically on Tuesday, Justice Patience Rubagumya ruled that although there were irregularities at Budongo (A-I) Namutumba Primary School polling station, they were not significant enough to affect the overall election results.
Akamba had asked the court to nullify Azalwa’s victory, accusing him of ballot stuffing, multiple voting, bribery, violence, voter intimidation, abduction of his polling agents and destruction of campaign posters.
He also faulted the Electoral Commission for allegedly failing to ensure that the election was conducted in accordance with the law.
However, after reviewing witness statements, court testimonies, declaration forms and election results, Justice Rubagumya found that most of the allegations had not been proved.
The court established that voting at Budongo (A-I) Namutumba Primary School was disrupted by violence and chaos, during which ballot papers were reportedly grabbed and election materials temporarily taken away. Police later intervened, recovered the materials and voting resumed.
However, the judge observed that the incident was confined to one polling station out of the 194 in Busiki County and did not substantially affect the final results.
She also considered evidence showing that voter turnout across Namutumba District was approximately 55 per cent, affecting all three elections conducted on polling day.
The judge further dismissed allegations of violence, intimidation and ballot stuffing at Nalusolo Junction, Bukairu Mosque, Igerera Church of Uganda and Bubalya Borehole polling stations, citing insufficient evidence.
At Nalusolo Junction, Akamba had accused a group of youths allegedly associated with Azalwa of beating and abducting his polling agent, Isabirye Marijani. However, the court found no adequate medical records, police reports or independent evidence to support the claim.
The court also rejected allegations that Azalwa bribed voters through payments to several savings groups and associations during the campaign period.
Akamba had accused the MP of giving Shs50,000 to Muyinda Ronald for hosting a meeting and another Shs50,000 to Muzaddetagulwa Savings Group during a function at Ronald’s home on November 9, 2025.
He also alleged that Azalwa gave Shs200,000 to Zibulatudde Savings Group, Shs300,000 to Makenha Parish Youth Leaders Emyooga Association and Shs160,000 to members of Ssekawuka PHA group to influence voters.
Azalwa denied the allegations, insisting that he had not offered money to voters to secure their support.
Justice Rubagumya ruled that Akamba had failed to present credible and independent evidence linking the alleged payments to an attempt to influence registered voters.
The judge also dismissed claims of violence and intimidation allegedly involving several individuals, including Bikaba Ashiraf, Kirya Joshua, Walusansa Mukuve, Mugeni Amir and Dagana Bernard, saying there was insufficient evidence connecting their actions to Azalwa or proving that they acted with his knowledge or approval.
Claims that Azalwa was responsible for abducting Akamba’s polling agents and defacing his campaign posters were equally rejected for lack of evidence.
In her final determination, Justice Rubagumya ruled that Akamba had failed to establish any of the grounds provided under Section 80(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act to warrant nullification of the election.
She consequently dismissed the petition and confirmed Azalwa as the duly elected Busiki County MP.
The court awarded costs to Azalwa but declined to award costs to the Electoral Commission, observing that despite its responsibility to ensure elections are conducted in a free and safe environment, violence and disruption had occurred at Budongo polling station.
