The High Court in Moroto has adjourned three parliamentary election petitions to allow lawyers more time to prepare affidavits and file written submissions, citing their tight schedules as they handle multiple election disputes across the country.
The petitions involve Bokora County MP Emmanuel Ilukol, whose victory is being challenged by John Bosco Ngoya; Nakapiripirit District Woman MP Esther Anyakun, whose election is being challenged by Lily Lopuwa; and Kotido District Woman MP Nuria Hasfa Teko, whose victory is being contested by Margaret Achilla Aleper.
In the Bokora County petition, the court scheduled the hearing for October 22-23 and October 30-31, 2026, after noting that the lawyers involved were also representing clients in election petitions in Mbale, Tororo, Masindi, Mbarara and Lira, among other districts.
Presiding over the cases, Justice Vincent Opyene on Thursday granted the petitioners 10 days to file their written submissions, with an additional five days allowed for rejoinders. The court also rescheduled the Kotido petition to October 26, November 5 and November 10, while the Nakapiripirit case will be heard on October 26, November 5 and November 9.
The adjournments followed a joint request by lawyers representing both the petitioners and respondents for more time to prepare and file sufficient affidavits and submissions.
They argued that the additional time would enable them to adequately present their cases and allow the court to deliver a fair and well-considered judgment. The petitions arise from the January 15, 2026 parliamentary elections, in which at least 12 incumbent legislators in the Karamoja sub-region lost their seats, according to election results declared by the Electoral Commission.