In a significant legal development, the High Court in Iganga has dismissed an election petition filed by Paul Akamba, thereby upholding the election of Joel Waiswa Azalwa as the Member of Parliament for Busiki County. The judgment, delivered on November 10, 2026, by Justice Patience Rubagumya, affirms Azalwa's victory and orders Akamba to bear the costs of the petition.
Background of the Election
Azalwa was declared the winner of the January 15, 2026, parliamentary elections, securing 20,065 votes against Akamba's 19,093, a margin of 972 votes. His victory was officially gazetted on March 2, 2026. However, Akamba challenged the outcome, alleging a range of electoral malpractices including ballot stuffing, multiple voting, bribery, intimidation, violence, and the abduction of his polling agents. He sought to have the election nullified and either declared the winner or have a fresh election ordered.
Court's Findings
Justice Rubagumya, after reviewing the evidence, found that most of the allegations lacked sufficient proof. The court did acknowledge that there was some non-compliance with electoral procedures at the Budongo (A-I) Namutumba Primary School polling station, where a group of youths disrupted polling, causing chaos and temporarily halting voting. However, the judge determined that this disruption did not substantially affect the overall election results. Police intervened, retrieved the election materials, and polling resumed, allowing the process to continue.
The ruling emphasizes that while irregularities occurred, they were not significant enough to overturn the election outcome. The decision brings to a close a contentious legal battle that has gripped the Busiki County constituency for months.
Reactions and Implications
The dismissal of the petition solidifies Azalwa's position as the duly elected representative of Busiki County. Supporters of Azalwa have welcomed the ruling, viewing it as a validation of the people's will. Akamba's camp has yet to comment on the judgment, but the costs awarded against him add a financial dimension to the legal defeat.
This case underscores the judiciary's role in resolving electoral disputes and the importance of presenting concrete evidence when challenging election results. It also highlights the challenges faced during elections, such as disruptions at polling stations, and the resilience of the electoral process in ensuring that such incidents do not undermine the overall integrity of the vote.
As Busiki County moves forward, the focus will likely shift to governance and development, with Azalwa now able to fully assume his duties without the shadow of litigation. The court's decision serves as a reminder that while elections can be fiercely contested, the rule of law remains the ultimate arbiter of electoral disputes.
