By Yusuf Obbo
The High Court has dismissed an election petition challenging the victory of Hon. Waiswa Joel Azalwa as the directly elected Member of Parliament for Busiki County Constituency in Namutumba District, confirming his election in the January 15, 2026 parliamentary polls.
The petition was filed by Akamba Paul, who challenged the results declared by the Returning Officer after Azalwa was announced the winner with 20,065 votes against Akamba’s 19,093 votes, giving Azalwa a margin of 972 votes.
According to the petition, ten candidates contested for the Busiki County parliamentary seat, with Azalwa emerging victorious after the January 15 election. His election was subsequently published in the Uganda Gazette on March 2, 2026.
Akamba alleged that Azalwa, either personally or through his agents and supporters, was involved in a number of illegal practices and electoral offences before, during and after polling.
The allegations included bribery, multiple and unauthorized voting, obstruction of voters, destruction of ballot papers and declaration results forms, pre-ticking and stuffing of ballot papers, violence, intimidation of voters, defacement of campaign posters and obstruction of election officials.
The petitioner further alleged that violence and intimidation in several areas and polling stations discouraged some voters from participating in the election, thereby substantially affecting the final outcome.
Akamba told court that he had received reports of the alleged irregularities from his agents and subsequently complained to the Returning Officer, requesting that results from the affected polling stations be cancelled.
He argued that had the disputed polling station results been cancelled, he would have obtained 18,749 votes, while Azalwa would have remained with 17,928 votes, which, according to him, would have made him the winner.
The petitioner therefore asked court to declare Azalwa’s election invalid, declare him the rightful winner or, alternatively, annul the election and order fresh elections in Busiki County Constituency.
However, in a judgment delivered electronically on November 10, 2026, Justice Patience T. E. Rubagumya dismissed the petition.
The court confirmed the election of Hon. Waiswa Joel Azalwa as the directly elected Member of Parliament for Busiki County Constituency, Namutumba District.
The court also ordered that costs of the petition be awarded to Azalwa, the first respondent.
The ruling brings to an end the legal challenge to Azalwa’s victory in the January 2026 parliamentary election, unless any further legal action is pursued within the applicable procedures.
