In a decisive ruling that brings closure to a closely watched electoral dispute, the High Court in Mpigi has dismissed the petition challenging the victory of Amelia Anne Kyambadde as Member of Parliament for Mawokota County North. The judgment, delivered electronically on November 13, confirms Kyambadde as the directly elected representative of the constituency.
Petition Dismissed, Costs Shared
Justice Jamson Karemani K. presided over the case and found that the petitioner, Hillary Innocent Kiyaga, popularly known as Hilderman, failed to substantiate his claims against Kyambadde and the Electoral Commission. Consequently, the court ordered each party to bear its own costs, signaling that the evidence presented did not meet the required legal threshold.
Kyambadde had been declared the winner of the January 15, 2026 election with 27,075 votes, defeating Kiyaga who garnered 24,801 votes, a margin of 2,274 votes. The petition sought to overturn this result, but the court's decision now puts the matter to rest.
Allegations of Irregularities
Kiyaga had alleged that results declaration forms at 24 polling stations were illegally altered and that results from 16 other stations were used without agents' signatures. He further argued that Kyambadde was disqualified because she held the position of Senior Presidential Advisor at the time of the election. However, the court found these claims unsubstantiated.
Most of the petitioner's evidence was struck out. In a major blow to the petition, the judge struck out 22 of the petitioner's 24 agents' affidavits for breaching Section 3 of the Illiterates Protection Act. The affidavits were written in English, but the commissioner for oaths had explained them to the deponents in Luganda, which the judge said showed the agents did not understand English. None carried a certificate of translation naming the individual who wrote and translated them.
The court also struck out Kiyaga's supplementary affidavit, filed on September 16, 2026, about four months after pleadings closed, without leave of court. The judge ruled it was part of the pleadings, not evidence.
Eligibility Challenge Fails
On the issue of Kyambadde's eligibility, the judge found that Kiyaga was barred from raising it at the petition stage because he never inspected her nomination papers or complained to the Electoral Commission before the election, as the law requires. Nevertheless, the judge examined the merits of the claim and found no basis to disqualify Kyambadde.
The ruling brings an end to a contentious legal battle that had gripped the constituency. Supporters of Kyambadde welcomed the decision, viewing it as a validation of the electorate's will. The judgment underscores the importance of adhering to procedural requirements in election petitions and reaffirms the integrity of the electoral process in Mawokota County North.
As the community moves forward, the focus now shifts to governance and development, with Kyambadde set to continue her work as the directly elected MP. The court's decision is a reminder that electoral disputes must be backed by solid evidence and procedural compliance.
