HOIMA, UGANDA — The High Court sitting in Hoima has dismissed an election petition filed by Princess Diana Jane Mugenyi, upholding the election of Hon. Asinansi Nyakato as Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, November 13, 2026, the court declared that Nyakato was validly elected as the District Woman Representative to Parliament for Hoima City in the January 15, 2026 general elections.
Mugenyi, who contested on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, had challenged Nyakato’s victory, seeking to overturn the election results. Nyakato contested on the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) ticket.
The court, however, dismissed the petition, finding no basis to nullify Nyakato’s election. The ruling allows her to retain her parliamentary seat following the legal challenge.
In addressing the evidence presented during the proceedings, the court overruled the objection to the petitioner’s additional affidavits. It also overruled objections to the affidavit of the Returning Officer and the Declaration of Results form for Mparo Gasani (KIN-Z).
However, the court ruled that annexures that were not in the language of the court and had not been translated could not be admitted as exhibits.
On the issue of legal costs, the court ordered the petitioner to pay the costs of the petition to the first respondent, while the second respondent was directed to bear its own costs.
The Registrar was further directed to transmit a copy of the judgment to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
The judgment, signed and delivered electronically on November 13, 2026, also informed the parties of their right to appeal to the Court of Appeal under Section 85 of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The decision marks a legal victory for Nyakato, bringing the challenge to her Hoima City parliamentary election to a close at the High Court level, subject to any appeal.
