The Judiciary has received 118 election petitions following the recently concluded 2026 parliamentary and local government elections and says it is fully prepared to handle the cases within the six-month deadline set by law.
Speaking at the Supreme Court in Kampala on Monday, Judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye Mawanda said preparations to hear the petitions are already underway, with resources being mobilised and judicial officers deployed across the country to manage the expected workload.
According to Mawanda, the Judiciary anticipated a rise in election-related disputes and has spent recent months strengthening its capacity. As part of the preparations, Justices of the Court of Appeal were recently trained to handle appeals that may arise from decisions made in election petition cases.
He said the Judiciary has now established the number of petitions filed and is allocating the necessary personnel and resources to ensure the cases are heard and concluded on time.
“We are still within the legal timelines and are confident that all matters will be concluded within the six months provided by law,” Mawanda said.
He urged the public to remain patient and allow the courts to carry out their constitutional duty of resolving electoral disputes fairly and independently.
Mawanda also revealed that Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has begun deploying judges to different parts of the country to ensure the petitions are handled efficiently.
He dismissed claims that judicial officers are assigned to specific areas for ulterior motives, insisting that deployments are based solely on workload and operational requirements.
“The purpose of these deployments is to ensure cases are heard and determined. Judicial officers take an oath to administer justice without fear, favour, affection or ill will,” he said.
Mawanda further advised parties dissatisfied with court rulings to utilise the available appeal processes instead of questioning the integrity of the courts.
Responding to concerns that election petitions were taking too long to begin, he rejected suggestions of delays, explaining that the Judiciary must first complete key administrative processes, including planning, resource allocation and deployment of staff before hearings commence.
“There is no delay. We are following the required procedures and hearings will begin soon,” he said.
Several high-profile election petitions have already been filed across the country. Among them is a challenge by National Unity Platform (NUP) politician and musician Hillary Innocent Kiyaga, commonly known as Dr Hilderman, against the election of former Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde in Mawokota North. The Electoral Commission has also been named in the petition.
In western Uganda, Mwesigwa Robert Rukaari has petitioned the High Court in Mbarara, challenging the election of Christopher Bakashaba. In Tororo, former State Minister Sarah Opendi Achieng is contesting the victory of Angella Akoth.
Other petitions have been filed in the Masaka High Court circuit, where several candidates are seeking to overturn parliamentary election results, including contests involving Justine Nameere, Cissy Namujju Dionizia, Ruth Katushabe and Florence Nambazira.
The Electoral Commission’s latest status report shows that election petitions have been filed in several constituencies nationwide, with some areas registering multiple challenges against declared winners and election officials.
