By URN
Princess Dianah Rouse Jane Mugenyi Abwooli has petitioned the High Court in Hoima to nullify the election of Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament Nyakato Asinansi, citing alleged electoral irregularities, bribery, and voter manipulation during the January 15, 2026, elections. Filed under the Parliamentary Elections Act, Mugenyi, through her lawyers at Mwesigwa Rukutana Advocates, led by Brian Rubaihayo, is also asking the court to order the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election for the Hoima City Woman Representative seat.
Mugenyi, the NRM candidate, lost to Nyakato, who crossed from Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the Patriotic Front for Freedom (PFF). The Electoral Commission declared Nyakato the winner with 17,142 votes against Mugenyi’s 15,197 votes. Other contestants included Bridget Kiiza of the National Unity Platform, who got 1,362 votes, and independent candidate Nalumaga Sylvia Balyesiima with 1,009 votes. The results were gazetted on February 6, 2026.
The petition alleges widespread irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws. At Sir Tito Winyi Stadium polling station, only 194 ballot papers were issued for 525 registered voters. At St. Mary’s Primary School, 341 people reportedly voted, but only 173 ballot papers were counted. At Hoima Boma polling station, only 118 ballot papers were issued despite 471 registered voters, allegedly disenfranchising 353 voters. Mugenyi also cited inconsistencies in the declaration of results forms. At Hoima Rotary polling station, the results form was unsigned, while at Kitara Secondary School Lower, the form lacked details on valid, invalid, and rejected votes.
She claims the final results were declared based on doubtful entries. Allegations of ballot stuffing were reported. At Mparo Gasani polling station, 350 ballot papers were counted despite only 146 voters casting ballots. At Kasasa Catholic Church, the number of votes allegedly exceeded the number of voters. The petitioner further accuses Nyakato and her agents of bribing voters.
On January 6, 2026, Nyakato allegedly gave 500,000 shillings to elderly voters in Ruyanja Cell, Kibingo Ward, while on January 14, her agent distributed cash at Budaka Primary School and provided money, alcohol, and kombucha drinks to voters at Kikwatamigo Trading Centre. Mugenyi also claims that Nyakato illegally transferred voters from Kikuube District to Hoima City using their national identity details. Voters were reportedly misled into believing that their IDs were needed for development documentation, then registered in Hoima City polling stations, including Busiisi Primary School, Hoima Library, and Kihomboza.
According to Mugenyi, these actions amounted to illegal procurement of voters and subjugation of the electorate, violating electoral laws. She argues that the alleged irregularities—bribery, ballot stuffing, and voter manipulation—affected the results. With a margin of just 1,945 votes, Mugenyi says the outcome could have been overturned. The petitioner is seeking to have the court declare the election in violation of the Parliamentary Elections Act, nullify Nyakato’s victory, and order a fresh election. Mugenyi has hired three law firms—Mwesigwa Rukutana Advocates, Factum Associated Advocates, and Tenax Advocates—to represent her. The case is yet to be allocated to a judge, and Nyakato has not yet filed her defense.
