RUKUNGIRI UGANDA: Rukungiri High Court has set December 16, 2026, as the date for delivering judgment in an election petition filed by Ingrid Kamateneti Turinawe of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), challenging the election of Gen. Henry Tumukunde as the Member of Parliament for Rukungiri Municipality.
The judgment date was set on October 8, 2026, by Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire after concluding a three-day hearing that began on October 6.
The petition also names the Electoral Commission as the second respondent.During the final day of the hearing, the petitioner’s legal team cross-examined witnesses presented by Tumukunde and the Electoral Commission, including Tumukunde himself, his son Philip Ndamira Tumukunde, Rukungiri District Police Commander Brian Ampeire, District Electoral Commission Returning Officer Abas K. Namara, Hillary Beinomugisha and Mackline Musiimenta, among others.
During cross-examination, Tumukunde denied allegations that he tampered with declaration of results forms at several polling stations, including Rukondo Church of Uganda, Kitimba Primary School A and Marumba Health Centre II, where the petitioner had alleged discrepancies in the election results.
He also denied allegations that he distributed solar equipment during the election period and campaigned outside the Electoral Commission’s official campaign schedule.
The petitioner had alleged that on November 24, 2025, Tumukunde campaigned in Kigina instead of Kitimba, an allegation he denied.
Meanwhile, Returning Officer Abas K. Namara told court that the election had been conducted in accordance with the law and that he was unaware of any irregularities.
However, during cross-examination, Namara acknowledged discrepancies in the election records at Kitimba Primary School A polling station.
He told court that 158 voters were recorded as having voted in the Woman Member of Parliament election, while 205 were recorded in the Municipality Member of Parliament election, creating a difference of 47 votes, despite the two elections being held on the same day.
Namara also acknowledged a discrepancy at Marumba Health Centre II polling station, where 175 ballot papers were reportedly placed in the ballot box before voting.
Of these, 174 were used, meaning one ballot paper should have remained unused. However, Electoral Commission records indicated that 125 ballot papers were unused.
At Rukondo Church of Uganda polling station, Namara further acknowledged a discrepancy in the results, where 248 voters were recorded as having voted, despite the polling station’s voters’ register containing only 161 registered voters.
Justice Wabwire is expected to deliver judgment on December 16, 2026, when the court will determine the election petition.
