By Spy Uganda
Uganda’s Judiciary has deployed 100 judicial officers to hear and dispose of 346 election petitions arising from the 2026 General Elections, opening a crucial legal phase that could determine the fate of disputed Parliamentary and Local Council results across the country.
According to a Judiciary statement issued on September 12, the petitions are before 30 High Court circuits, the Civil Division of the High Court and 26 Chief Magistrates Courts. The deployment includes 48 High Court judges handling 157 petitions and 52 Chief Magistrates responsible for 189 cases.
High Court hearings are scheduled to begin on September 14, 2026, and run until November 13, while proceedings before Chief Magistrates Courts will start on September 21 and conclude by October 30. Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo has directed the assigned judicial officers to prioritise the election petitions over their ordinary judicial work during the designated period.
In Administrative Circular No. 5 of 2026, Abodo instructed judges to fix cases promptly and, where practicable, hear them on consecutive days. She also directed courts to avoid unnecessary adjournments, handle interlocutory applications expeditiously and strictly enforce court directions in order to prevent delays.
The caseload is spread across judicial stations throughout the country. Masaka High Court has the largest High Court workload, with 21 petitions assigned to five judges, followed by the High Court Civil Division with 17 petitions before four judges and Mukono with 14 petitions assigned to three judges. Iganga has 13 petitions, while Mbarara and Wakiso each have 10.
Among the Chief Magistrates Courts, Makindye has the highest workload with 31 petitions assigned to eight judicial officers, followed by Kawempe with 20 petitions, Nabweru with 17, Mengo with 16 and Kira with 15.
The petitions include challenges involving Parliamentary seats as well as Local Council elections. Among the Parliamentary disputes is a challenge by David Lewis Rubongoya against the election of Minsa Kabanda, while Eng. Sam Kajojo is challenging the victory of Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi as MP for Kinkizi East Constituency.
The Judiciary has stressed that the filing of an election petition should not automatically be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing or electoral irregularities. The allegations must be tested through evidence and the applicable electoral and constitutional laws.
The courts will therefore face the difficult task of balancing the need for speedy resolution with the right of every party to a fair hearing. Election cases can involve substantial documentary evidence, witness testimony, polling records and detailed legal arguments.
The outcome of the petitions could have significant implications for Uganda’s elected institutions. Successful challenges could result in changes to representation or other remedies provided under the law, while decisions upholding contested victories could provide greater certainty for elected leaders and their constituents.
As hearings begin, the Judiciary faces a major test of its ability to resolve a large post-election caseload efficiently while maintaining due process. The resulting judgments will not only determine individual electoral disputes but could also shape public confidence in Uganda’s system of electoral justice.
