The Masaka Grade One Chief Magistrate’s Court has dismissed an application by legislator candidate Veronica Nanyondo seeking a recount of votes in the Bukomansimbi District Woman Member of Parliament election.
Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe ruled that the application did not meet the legal threshold required to warrant a recount and therefore rejected it.
The dispute followed the declaration by Bukomansimbi District Returning Officer Betty Komugyereko that NRM’s Ruth Katushabe won with 23,481 votes, narrowly defeating National Unity Platform (NUP) incumbent Nanyondo, who polled 23,275 votes—a margin of 206 votes.
Nanyondo, through Lukwago & Company Advocates led by Chrysostom Katumba, alleged electoral irregularities in seven polling stations, claiming that votes were inflated in favour of Katushabe and deducted from her tally.
Among the polling stations cited were Bukomansimbi Primary School, Nkalwe Primary School, and Kagogo Catholic Church.
Nanyondo argued that the Electoral Commission’s declared results differed significantly from those recorded by her agents.
For example:
- At Kigangazi polling station, Katushabe was officially credited with 644 votes instead of 595, while Nanyondo was credited with 164 votes instead of 844.
- At Bukomansimbi Primary School, the declared results showed 478 votes for Katushabe and two for Nanyondo, despite her agents recording 151 votes for Nanyondo and 41 for Katushabe.
- Similar discrepancies were cited at Kakukuulu Primary School, Kiryamenvu Playground, Nkalwe Primary School, Sserinya Playground, Lugazi Trading Centre, and Kagogo Catholic Church.
Katushabe’s lawyer, Geoffrey Kandeebe, challenged the application, arguing that the evidence presented was not sourced from the Electoral Commission and was therefore inadmissible in court.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Asiimwe advised the applicant to seek redress in the High Court and noted that quickly gazetting the winner would reduce anxiety and tension in the district.
“I commend the Electoral Commission for quickly gazetting the winner for Bukomansimbi Woman MP, allowing the applicant to file a petition in the High Court if she chooses. This also saves the people of Bukomansimbi from anxiety over leadership,” Asiimwe said.
Reacting to the decision, Nanyondo expressed dissatisfaction and announced her intention to escalate the matter to the High Court.
Her lawyer, Lawrence Kabuye, said they would study the ruling and take appropriate legal steps.
Meanwhile, Katushabe welcomed the ruling as a validation of her victory and called for unity among the people of Bukomansimbi.
She urged Nanyondo to cease court petitions and join efforts to serve the district.
The court decision now clears the way for Katushabe to continue serving as Bukomansimbi District Woman MP, with the legal contest now shifting to the High Court.