The applications followed a lower court decision ordering a vote recount and declaring Justine Nameere of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) as the duly elected Masaka MP. Nalubowa had sought orders to halt the recount, block Nameere’s swearing-in, and challenge the ruling of Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe.
Before the hearing could proceed, Nalubowa’s lawyers said they were not ready to continue before Justice Kinobe.
They argued that the judge had previously been publicly associated with the NRM, including allegedly seeking the party’s ticket in the 2021 elections, raising concerns about impartiality.
“We do not have trust in a judge who has been publicly seen defending the NRM. In such circumstances, we cannot proceed before him,” Nalubowa told journalists.
“We are considering filing an electoral petition, but it must be heard by a different judge.”
Nameere’s lawyers opposed the move, accusing Nalubowa of delay tactics and urging the court to proceed.
Justice Kinobe dismissed the allegations of bias, stressing his role as a judicial officer. “Whatever political affiliations I may have had in the past are irrelevant to my judicial duties,” he said, warning he would not step down simply because his impartiality was questioned.
After a brief 30-minute adjournment, Nalubowa and her lawyers formally withdrew all three applications.
Nameere welcomed the development, criticizing Nalubowa for what she called unnecessary litigation.
“She should also stop referring to herself as an MP. That amounts to impersonation, and it is criminal,” Nameere said.
Nalubowa maintained she intends to challenge the manner in which Nameere was declared winner, noting that any formal electoral petition can only be filed after Nameere is sworn in.
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions in the contested Masaka parliamentary race, with the legal battle far from over.