Overview:
There is a heavy security deployment at Hoima Magistrates’ Court ahead of the anticipated ruling on an election petition seeking a vote recount in the recently concluded National Female Youth Representative to Parliament election.
There is a heavy security deployment at Hoima Magistrates’ Court ahead of the anticipated ruling on an election petition seeking a vote recount in the recently concluded National Female Youth Representative to Parliament election.
Hoima Chief Magistrate George Kunihira is expected to deliver the ruling on the petition filed by Diana Kampe Ampaire, the flag bearer of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), challenging the results of the election held on February 6, 2026, at Hoima City Stadium. She is seeking court orders for a recount, citing alleged irregularities in the tallying process that she claims affected the outcome.
The petition, registered as Miscellaneous Cause Number 06 of 2026, was filed against Mercy Kanyesigye, who was declared the winner, as well as the Electoral Commission and the Returning Officer, Jennifer Kyobutungi. Ampaire was one of four candidates in the race.
According to the declared results, Kanyesigye, an independent candidate, garnered 216 votes, while Ampaire finished second with 198 votes, an 18-vote margin. Another independent candidate, Julia Muhumuza, secured 24 votes, while Edith Namande Nakayiza of the National Unity Platform (NUP) received one vote.
In her application, Ampaire argues that the results do not reflect the true outcome of the election. Through an affidavit sworn in Kampala by her lawyers from Factum Advocates, she alleges that several votes cast in her favour were wrongly recorded as votes for Kanyesigye.
She further claims that the presiding officer, Ivan Munanura, conducted the vote count in a manner that misallocated her votes and that the figures recorded on the Declaration of Results Form do not correspond with the actual ballots cast.
Ampaire also states that she and her polling agents, Sharon Aketowanga and Collins Turyahebwa, raised complaints during the counting process, but their concerns were allegedly ignored. She says her formal requests for a recount before the official declaration were denied and that the Returning Officer refused to acknowledge receipt of her written complaint.
Following the declaration of results, Ampaire wrote to the Electoral Commission and the Returning Officer requesting certified copies of the Declaration of Results Form and the Return Form for Transmission of Results. She claims these documents have not been provided.
The petition asks the court to order and supervise a recount of all votes cast, issue a certificate of recount, and award costs of the application. Ampaire maintains that a recount is necessary in the interest of justice and fairness to ensure the electorate is represented by their rightful choice.
The hearing of the petition began last Friday before Kunihira, who adjourned the matter to Tuesday. During the previous session, Kunihira told the court he had heard submissions from all parties but required additional time to review the documents before issuing his ruling.
Today, security personnel from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces have been strategically positioned at the court’s main entrance, inside the courtroom, and at key access points.
Albertine Region Police Spokesperson Julius Hakiza said the deployment is routine and intended to reinforce security and prevent disturbances before, during, and after the court process.
Hakiza noted that intelligence reports indicated supporters from both sides could become rowdy following the ruling, hence the heightened security presence.
By the time this report was filed, hundreds of supporters of both Kanyesigye and Ampaire had gathered inside and outside the courtroom, awaiting the court’s decision.
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