By Ambrose Kweronda
www.mknewslink.com
In Kabale—
Journalists in Kabale District have been barred from covering court proceedings at the High Court in Kabale before Hon. Justice Dr. Farouq Lubega, who is handling two election petitions challenging the election of Bukimbiri County Member of Parliament, Eddie Kwizera wa Gahungu.
Justice Lubega directed members of the press not to make live recordings of the proceedings from the beginning to the end of the hearing.
He instructed journalists to leave the courtroom and switch off their phones and other recording devices during the proceedings.
Justice Lubega said journalists would be allowed to record and take photographs before the court session begins. However, he warned that the court would check phones for recordings and that anyone found violating the directive could face action in accordance with the law.
He further directed journalists to leave the courtroom before proceedings begin and wait for the parties involved in the case to brief them outside court.
The judge also urged the two parties in the election petitions to respect each other throughout the proceedings.
The petitions have been filed by Asigario Turyagyenda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, and James Owebeyi, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer, challenging the victory of independent candidate Eddie Kwizera wa Gahungu as Bukimbiri County MP.
During the January 15, 2026 general elections, Kwizera, the incumbent Bukimbiri County MP, retained his seat as an independent candidate after securing 14,761 votes. Turyagyenda polled 12,553 votes, while Owebeyi received 102 votes.
His Worship Kenneth Tumwebaze, Assistant Registrar at the Kabale High Court Circuit, said all election petition cases before the Kabale High Court resumed today, with two petitions filed by Asigario Turyagyenda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, and James Owebeyi, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer.
The two petitioners are challenging the victory of independent candidate Eddie Kwizera wa Gahungu as Bukimbiri County Member of Parliament.
Tumwebaze said that after hearing from both sides and gathering all the necessary information and evidence, the court will make its ruling on the petitions.