news 3 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Judiciary to Hear 118 Election Petitions Starting September 14
The Ugandan Judiciary has scheduled the commencement of hearings for 118 election petitions, arising from the January 2026 General Election, for September 14. These cases, challenging results for both parliamentary and Local Council seats, are expected to conclude by November 13. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/judiciary-finally-sets-dates-for-118-election-petitions-5582996
The Judiciary has announced that it will begin hearing 118 election petitions on Monday, September 14, 2026. These cases stem from the January 2026 General Election and will be heard across various High Court circuits and the Civil Division in Kampala.
The hearings are slated to run until November 13, as per an internal memo from the Principal Judge’s Chambers. The judiciary has emphasized that these election petitions will take precedence over all other court matters during this period.
Judges have been directed to suspend or limit their regular case assignments to dedicate their full attention to ensuring the expeditious disposal of these petitions. This temporary redeployment aims to meet the legal timelines for resolving election disputes.
Of the 118 petitions, a significant majority, 107, challenge the results of parliamentary elections. The remaining 11 petitions concern Local Council election outcomes. The High Court is mandated by the Parliamentary Elections Act to determine such petitions within six months of their filing.
Several high-profile cases are included in the docket. Among them is a challenge to former Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde’s election as Mawokota North MP, filed by NUP candidate Hillary Kiyaga (Dr. Hilderman). Other notable challenges involve petitions in Mbarara, Tororo, Kayunga, Masaka, Ssembabule, and Moroto, with former MPs and incumbent officials among those involved.
The delay in commencing these hearings had caused concern among candidates and political parties, given the strict legal deadlines for concluding such matters. The Judiciary’s scheduling aims to address these concerns and ensure timely resolution.