Hoima City Woman MP election petition hearing set for October
However, she said she was prepared to defend the petition if Mugenyi proceeds with the case and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
Hoima: Hoima High Court has fixed October 1 and 2, 2026, for the hearing of a petition challenging the election of Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament Asinansi Nyakato.
The petition was filed by Princess Diana Mugenyi, the NRM candidate in the January 2026 general elections, who is challenging Nyakato’s victory over alleged electoral irregularities.
The case was rescheduled on Wednesday during proceedings at Hoima High Court in Hoima City that were not open to the media.
The proceedings were presided over by Justice Charles Kasibayo, a Resident Judge from Mbale.
Mugenyi, who attended court, was represented by Counsel Humphrey Tumwesigye of Mujulizi and Tumwesigye Company Advocates, while Nyakato was represented by Counsel Medard Lubega Sseggona of Lukwago and Company Advocates.
According to the results cited in the petition, Nyakato won the election with 17,142 votes, against Mugenyi’s 15,197 votes.
The National Unity Platform candidate Bridget Kiiza polled 1,362 votes, while independent candidate Sylvia Nalumaga Balyesiima obtained 1,009 votes. The results were gazetted on February 6, 2026.
Mugenyi, through her lawyers led by Brian Rubaihayo of Mwesigwa Rukutana Advocates, filed the petition seeking to have Nyakato’s election nullified and a fresh election ordered.
She alleges electoral irregularities, bribery, voter manipulation and non-compliance with electoral laws during the January 15 election. These allegations remain contested and will be determined through the court process.
Speaking to journalists after Wednesday’s proceedings, Nyakato’s lawyer, Medard Lubega Sseggona, confirmed that the court had fixed October 1 and 2 for the hearing.
“The court has fixed October 1 and 2 for the hearing of the petition,” Sseggona said.
Sseggona said the judge also allowed the parties additional time to file affidavits in support of those already on the court record.
He added that the judge advised the parties to consider negotiating and settling the matter outside court.
Meanwhile, Mugenyi’s lawyer, Humphrey Tumwesigye, said they had served Nyakato and the Electoral Commission with 86 affidavits but had not received a response.
“We served them with 86 affidavits, but we have not received a response,” Tumwesigye said.
Tumwesigye said Mugenyi’s legal team was prepared to proceed with the petition when the hearing begins on October 1.
Nyakato welcomed the judge’s guidance for the parties to consider an out-of-court settlement, saying this could save time and resources.
However, she said she was prepared to defend the petition if Mugenyi proceeds with the case and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
Mugenyi, meanwhile, has indicated that she does not intend to withdraw the petition, saying doing so would betray the supporters who backed her during the election.
The court will hear the evidence and arguments from both sides before making a determination on the petition.
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