The election of about 40 MPs including Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and some ministers has been challenged in courts, with their opponents seeking to have victory nullified.
The rivals allege voter bribery, lack of academic papers, election fraud and violence, non-compliance with electoral laws, among other issues.
The country went to polls on January 14 to elect the President and new Members of Parliament.
The Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) Proscovia Salaamu Musumba has filed a petition at Jinja High Court challenging the election of National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Rebecca Kadaga as Kamuli District Woman MP.
Ms Musumba accuses Ms Kadaga of bribing voters and election rigging.
Ms Kadaga won with 92,388 votes while Ms Musumba, a former MP, got 26,851 votes.
In Mityana, the Minister for Information, ICT and Communications, Ms Judith Nabakooba, petitioned Mubende High Court seeking to overturn the victory of Mityana District Woman MP-elect Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa.
Ms Nabakooba, who came second in the elections with 48,078 votes, accuses the Electoral Commission and Ms Bagala of conspiring to steal her victory.
Ms Bagala of National Unity Platform (NUP) was declared winner with 64,305 votes. Ms Nabakooba alleges that EC failed to do its job, thereby denying her victory. The minister alleges that several presiding officers connived with Ms Bagala’s agents to alter declaration of results forms.
When contacted about the petition, Ms Bagala said she was served a copy on March 17, 2021, but added that she was confident she will win the case.
Kawempe North MP-elect Muhammad Ssegirinya of NUP has also been taken to court for allegedly forging academic documents.
According to the petition filed in the High Court Kampala, Mr Ssegirinya alleged to have forged documents bearing Richard Sseggirinya. His election is challenged by his political rival Sulaiman Kidandala.
Ms Betty Ssentamu, who lost Gomba District Woman MP race to the incumbent and NRM candidate, Ms Sylvia Nayebale has also petitioned court.
Ms Ssentamu alleges that the election process was marred by voter bribery and intimidation.
Ms Ssentamu is the sister of former presidential candidate and NUP president, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
The petition was filed in Mpigi High Court last week.
“We have gathered enough evidence, including video clips of people in army uniform intimidating voters, people being given money at polling stations and arresting our agents,” Ms Ssentamu said.
The election of Kampala Central MP, Mr Muhammad Nsereko (Independent), has been contested by his closest rival Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu of NUP.
In his petition filed on March 10 at Kampala High Court, Mr Nyanzi, the older brother of Mr Kyagulanyi, raises 17 claims which include electoral malpractices.
Mr Nsereko was declared winner with 16,998 votes against Mr Nyanzi’s 15,975 votes. This is the second time Mr Nyanzi is attempting to overturn Mr Nsereko’s victory.
On January 22, he petitioned Mengo Chief Magistrate’s Court to order a vote recount, but the application was dismissed on account that he was raising electoral offences which could only be determined by the High Court.
In Nakawa West, Mr Shukla Mukesh Babubhai is challenging the election of NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi Besekezi for alleged ballot stuffing and falsification of electoral results.
Mr Mukesh alleges that EC based on Declaration of Result forms,that were not signed or witnessed by the presiding officer, to declare Mr Ssenyonyi winner.
In Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality, Mr Emmanuel Ssempala Kigozi (independent) has contested MP-elect David Sserukenya’s victory citing lack of the required academic qualifications.
Mr Kigozi states that Mr Sserukenya (NUP), who is a senior medical laboratory technician, was illegally nominated for election.
In Rubaga South, Ms Eugenia Nassolo (DP) has challenged the victory of Mr Aloysius Mukasa (NUP) for lack of requisite academic qualifications and not being a registered voter in the constituency.
In Mbarara, Mr Jeremiah Kamurari Birungi (Independent), who lost to Mr Nathan Byanyima (NRM) in Bukanga North Constituency (Isingiro District) filed a petition in High Court on March 5. He claims that Mr Byanyima was not validly elected because he lacks the requisite academic papers.
The court has not yet set the hearing date.
In Jinja, the incumbent Kagoma County MP, Mr Moses Walyomu’s election has been contested in court by his closest rival Frederick Munyirwa over vote rigging and election violence.
Jinja South East Division MP Paul Mwiru has also petitioned Jinja High Court to nullify Mr Nathan Igeme Nabeta’s election (NRM).
Mr Mwiru filed the petition on March 11. He contends that there was falsification of results in favour of Mr Nabeta.
In Jinja North City Division, the MP-elect, Mr David Isabirye Agha, has been taken to court for allegedly forging academic papers to contest for the seat.
The loser and NRM flag bearer, Mr Muhammed Bidondole, filed the petition against the FDC winner on March 11.
Mr Bidondole alleges that Mr Isabirye used forged academic papers of Akamada Mutubu for nomination.
Mr Fredrick Munirwa (NRM) on Thursday petitioned the court challenging victory of incumbent MP for Kagoma Constituency in Jinja District, Moses Walyomu over lack of academic documents.
In Bunya East (Mayuge District), Waira Kyewalabye Majegere sued MP-elect James Kubeketerya over election malpractices.
In Bunya South (Mayuge District), Mr Iddi Isabirye has been dragged to court by the loser and incumbent, Mr Robert Ntende, on allegations of lack of academic qualifications, election violence and bribery.
In Bukooli South (Namayingo District) two former contestants including incumbent Stephen Mayende Dede and Mr Akim Wasige Wamudanya challenged Mr Abdu Adidwa’s victory over vote rigging.
In Bunya South, (Mayuge District), the winner, Mr Isabirye has been dragged to court by incumbent Mr Robert Ntende on allegations of lack of academic qualifications, election violence and bribery.
In Oyam South, Ms Queen Dorothy Amolo, a former Independent candidate, has petitioned the High Court in Kampala challenging the re-election of Ms Betty Amongi, the Minister for Kampala.
Ms Amolo alleges multiple vote rigging in favour of Ms Amongi.
In Mbale City, Ms Lydia Wanyoto, the NRM flag bearer for Mbale City, petitioned the High Court in Mbale to nullify the election of her rival Ms Connie Galiwango. Ms Wanyoto lost to Ms Galiwango, who contested as independent with a difference of about 10,000 votes.
Ms Wanyoto lodged the petition on March 2 alleging vote rigging.
Mr Ivan Masaba of NUP, who contested for Northern City Division MP seat in Mbale City, has also petitioned High Court to nullify the election of his rival, Mr Seth Wambede (NRM)
The former NRM candidate for Sironko District Woman MP, Asha Nabulo, has petitioned High Court in Mbale challenging the victory of Ms Florence Wamala Nambozo for alleged bribery and lack of the required academic qualifications.
In Pallisa, Agule County, Mr David Ochwa has petitioned Mbale High Court to nullify the election of his rival Mr Polycap Ogwari over gross irregularities.
In Budaka County, Mr Joshua Omayende (NRM), who lost to Mr Arthur Wako Mboizi (Independent), filed a petition in Mbale High Court challenging the victory of Mr Mboizi on grounds of gross irregularities.
In Butaleja, Mr James Waluswaka, the incumbent MP for Bunyole West, has petitioned court to nullify the victory of Mr Geoffrey Mutiwa Eric on grounds of lack of academic papers and ballot stuffing.
Mr Geoffrey Ekanya, the elected MP for Tororo North County has been dragged to court by his rival Annette Nyaketcho, who alleges vote rigging. Ms Nyaketcho filed the petition in Mbale High Court on February 15.
Ms Sumaya Balunywa Aliza, a former candidate for Eastern Youth MP, has petitioned High Court in Mbale to nullify the election of Bernard Odoi Onene Mutusa (NRM) due to election irregularities.
In Kabale, the High Court issued a 10-day notice to the Electoral Commission (EC) and Bukimbiri County MP-elect in Kisoro District Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu to respond to the petition filed by one of the former parliamentary contestants.
“You are hereby required to file your answer to the said petition within 10 days from the date of service. Should you fail to file your answer as herein directed, court shall proceed to hear the same and deliver Judgment in your absence,” reads the notice issued by the court registrar Mr Julius Borore, on Wednesday last week.
Mr James Owebeyi is challenging victory of the newly elected MP for Bukimbiri, Mr Kwizera Wagahungu.
In Rukungiri, Mr Fred Turyamuhweza has petitioned High Court, challenging victory of Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi Katugugu (NRM) as Rujumbura MP.
Mr Turyamuhweza is the current MP on Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket. He claims Gen Muhwezi bribed and intimidated voters.
He filed the petition in Kabale High Court on Friday.
Gen Muhwezi told Daily Monitor on Sunday: “People only needed change,that is why they voted me. If I had bribed them, I would not have defeated him in his home sub-county [of Ruhinda].”
In Ngora, the MP for Ngora County, Mr David Abala, is challenging Ms Juliet Achayo Lodou’s election. Mr Abala filed the petition at Soroti High Court last week alleging irregularities.
The other petitions, which have been filed at Soroti High Court include from Kaabong East constituency, where Mr Sam Lokeris is challenging MP-elect -Emmanuel Komol’s victory.
The State Minister for Veteran Affairs, Mr Christopher Kibanzanga, has petitioned court in Fort Portal seeking to nullify the election of Mr Moses Acrobert Kiiza as Bughendera County MP.
Mr Kibanzanga, the incumbent Bughendera MP, lost the January 14 polls.
In Toroma County, Mr Solomon Ossiya of NRM, petitioned court to nullify Mr Andrew Joseph Kolou’s victory.
In Karamoja, Mr Samson Lokeris, the Dodoth East MP, has petitioned high court challenging the victory of Mr Emmanuel Komol.
Mr Lokeris alleges that some polling stations were closed as early as 3.30pm denying many of his supporters chance to vote.
Mr Paul Ole, a former candidate for Matheniko County in Moroto, has petitioned court to nullify election of Mr John Baptist Lokii for alleged voter bribery and intimidation.
In Kampala and Wakiso at least 10 MPs are facing similar petitions against their election.
In Nansana Municipality, MP-elect Hannigton Nsereko Wakayima’s victory was challenged by FDC’s Hamisi Musoke Walusimbi over vote rigging.
In Katikamu North, Mr Gaddafi Nassur (NRM) has challenged NUP’s Denes Sekabira’s victory for alleged bribery.
Mr Hassan Kirumira (NUP) of Katikamu South was also dragged to court by NRM’s Patricia Magara.
Meanwhile, a bodaboda rider, Mr Christopher Matabi, from Bamunanika Constituency sued MP-elect of NUP Robert Ssekitoleko over voter bribery.
