The High Court in Mubende has annulled the election of Dedan Mubangizi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate for Buwekula South Constituency, and directed the Electoral Commission to organize a new vote. The ruling, delivered on November 13, 2026, by Acting Judge Mary Babirye, follows a petition brought by independent candidate Tumwesigye Fred.
Court Finds Serious Irregularities
In her judgment, Justice Babirye concluded that the election did not meet the requirements of the Parliamentary Elections Act and that the flaws identified were significant enough to have influenced the outcome. The court therefore set aside Mubangizi's declaration, which had been based on a recount carried out on January 28, 2026, and on the subsequent publication of his name in the Uganda Gazette on March 4, 2026.
The judge highlighted several problems with the recount process. According to the court, electoral materials went missing, including declaration of results forms and ballot papers. In addition, the recorded vote totals showed differences that were never satisfactorily explained.
What Happens Next
The decision means that voters in Buwekula South will return to the polls for a fresh election, the date of which will be announced by the Electoral Commission. The ruling is a major development in the constituency's political landscape and underscores ongoing concerns about the integrity of electoral processes at the local level.
The petitioner, Tumwesigye Fred, had argued that the irregularities were substantial enough to warrant overturning the result. The court's findings appear to support that position, citing the missing documents and unexplained variations in vote counts as key factors.
Mubangizi's legal team has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the decision. For now, the constituency awaits the Electoral Commission's next steps as it prepares for a new election.
