Uganda’s Judiciary says it is completing preparations to hear 118 election petitions filed after the 2026 parliamentary and local government elections, with judges across the country finalising hearing schedules ahead of the legal deadlines.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Supreme Court in Kampala on Wednesday, Chief Registrar Agnes Alum said High Court judges in different circuits were concluding administrative arrangements before the cases are allocated and hearing dates communicated to the parties.
“We are organising the allocation of the petitions and parties will be notified once hearing schedules are finalised,” Alum said.
She acknowledged heightened public interest in the petitions and said the Judiciary was aware of the statutory timelines that govern election disputes.
Election petitions are among the most urgent cases handled by Uganda’s courts because the law requires them to be determined within specific time limits to avoid prolonged uncertainty over elected offices.
The petitions include several involving prominent politicians. They include Mawokota North MP Hilderman Kiyaga, who is challenging the election of former Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde, and former Rushenyi County MP Mwesigwa Rukaari, who is contesting the election of Christopher Bakashaba in Mbarara.
Former Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi has also petitioned against the election of Angella Akoth, while Birungi Kobusingye is challenging the election of National Unity Platform candidate Harriet Nakwedde as Kayunga District Woman MP in a case before the High Court in Mukono. The Electoral Commission is listed as a respondent.
Other petitions include Rose Nalubowa’s challenge to the election of Masaka City Woman MP Justine Nameere, Muwonge Nkoko’s petition against Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Namujju Dionizia, Grace Nalubega’s challenge to Bukomansimbi District Woman MP Ruth Katushabe, and Mary Begumisa’s petition contesting the victory of Florence Nambazira in Ssembabule.
The courts are also handling a petition by Lilly Lapowa challenging the election of State Minister Esther Davinia Anyakun, with the Masaka, Moroto, Iganga and Lira High Court circuits among those managing multiple election disputes.
Under the Parliamentary Elections Act, the High Court must determine election petitions within timelines set by law after all parties have filed their responses.
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Asked whether the Judiciary had received sufficient funding to handle the cases, Alum declined to comment, saying responsibility for managing election petitions lies with the Office of the Principal Judge.
Beyond the election cases, she said the Judiciary was stepping up efforts to improve accountability by investigating allegations of corruption and misconduct involving judicial officers.
“The Inspectorate of Courts and the disciplinary committee are actively handling complaints and taking disciplinary action where wrongdoing is established,” she said.
Alum urged members of the public to support investigations by providing credible evidence instead of making general allegations.
She also addressed concerns over delays in bail applications in magistrates’ courts, saying suspects are entitled to make oral bail applications before lower courts and should not face unnecessary procedural obstacles.
According to Alum, delays in hearing newly filed cases are largely due to heavy workloads and case management challenges, adding that the Judiciary would continue engaging judicial officers to improve docket management and communication with court users.
She said complaints from journalists alleging they had been denied access to politically sensitive court proceedings would be investigated.
The Judiciary is also finalising media and court reporting guidelines and rolling out a nationwide media accreditation programme to strengthen cooperation with journalists and promote accurate reporting of court proceedings, she added.
Alum said ongoing judicial reforms include expanding the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), increasing the use of virtual hearings, deploying artificial intelligence-assisted judgment-writing and transcription tools, and recruiting additional judicial officers and support staff to improve case disposal.
She further announced that the annual High Court and Magistrates’ Courts vacation will run from 15 July to 15 August, while the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal will recess throughout August.
Court registries will remain open during the vacation to receive new cases as judicial officers use the period to prepare pending judgments and rulings.
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