Petition dismissed! Nyakato retains Hoima City Woman MP seat after High Court verdict

The High Court of Uganda at Hoima has dismissed Princess Dianah Rouse Jane Mugenyi Abwooli’s election petition challenging the victory of Nyakato Asinansi in the Hoima City Woman MP election held on 15 January 2026.

In a judgment which was delivered by Charles Kasibayo, the Acting Judge on Friday November, 13, 2026, Nyakato Asinansi of PFF party was declared validly elected MP.

The judge cited invalid allegations in the petitioner’s case.

The judgment comes after October 1 to 2 sessions in which the same court cross-examined both candidates for fact-finding.

Court findings in the petition 

According to the court, allegations of ballot stuffing and voter bribery were not proved; the alleged widespread voter disenfranchisement was not established.

The court found that some Kinogozi residents were transported to vote in Hoima City, but the evidence did not sufficiently link Nyakato to unlawful voter procurement.

The court raised concerns about irregularities in the Electoral Commission’s records and polling procedures, among others.

Court orders

It was out of this background that the court dismissed the petition, declaring Nyakato Asinansi a validly elected MP for Hoima City, but also ordered Princess Dianah Abwooli to pay Nyakato’s legal costs.

The Electoral Commission was also directed to bear its own costs, but also cited room for parties to retain the right to appeal.

Brief background about the petition 

Dianah Rouse Jane Mugenyi Abwooli had in March 2026 petitioned the High Court challenging Nyakato’s victory, citing alleged electoral irregularities in the January 15, 2026, parliamentary elections.

The petition was filed under the Parliamentary Elections Act in May, 2026, and the petitioner cited bribery and voter manipulation during the January 15, 2026, parliamentary elections.

Mugenyi, the NRM candidate, lost to Nyakato, who crossed from Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the Patriotic Front for Freedom (PFF).

According to election results released by the Electoral Commission on January 16, declaring Nyakato a winner for the parliamentary seat, Nyakato obtained 17,142 votes against Mugenyi’s 15,197 votes.

Other candidates included Bridget Kiiza of the National Unity Platform, who got 1,362 votes, and independent candidate Nalumaga Sylvia Balyesiima with 1,009 votes.

Mugenyi said that at Sir Tito Winyi Stadium polling station, only 194 ballot papers were issued for 525 registered voters.

At St. Mary’s Primary School, 341 people reportedly voted, but only 173 ballot papers were counted.

At Hoima Boma polling station, only 118 ballot papers were issued despite 471 registered voters, allegedly disenfranchising 353 voters. Mugenyi also cited inconsistencies in the declaration of results forms.

At Hoima Rotary polling station, the results form was unsigned, while at Kitara Secondary School Lower, the form lacked details on valid, invalid, and rejected votes, and the final results were declared based on doubtful entries.