By Moses Andama
www.mknewslink.com
In Masindi—
The High Court in Masindi has dismissed election petitions challenging the victories of Buruli County Member of Parliament Aled Akugizibwe and Kibanda South MP Jacob Karubanga in the January 2026 general elections.
Julius Mugisa, who contested against Akugizibwe, had petitioned court, citing alleged voter bribery, intimidation and other electoral irregularities during the election.
Akugizibwe was declared the winner with 13,321 votes, while Mugisa came second with 11,087 votes.
In a ruling delivered on November 12, 2026, Assistant Registrar Juliet Nakende announced that Justice Charles Kasibayo had found that Mugisa failed to adduce sufficient evidence to substantiate his allegations.
The court consequently dismissed the petition and upheld Akugizibwe’s election as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Buruli County. It also ordered Mugisa to pay costs to Akugizibwe and the Electoral Commission, which was the second respondent in the case.
In a separate petition, Justice Kasibayo also upheld the election of Jacob Karubanga as MP for Kibanda South in Kiryandongo District, dismissing a petition filed by his election rival, Jack Odur.
Odur had challenged Karubanga’s victory, alleging non-compliance with electoral laws during the electoral process.
However, the judge ruled that Odur had failed to prove his allegations and awarded costs to Karubanga, while ordering the Electoral Commission to meet its own costs.
Speaking after the ruling, Akugizibwe described the court decision as an affirmation of the people’s choice in Buruli County, calling on residents to put aside political differences and work together for the development of the constituency.
Karubanga said the ruling had cleared him of the allegations raised against him by Odur.
Meanwhile, Odur described the ruling as unfair and said he intended to appeal against the decision.
Mugisa was unavailable for comment by the time of filing this story.