The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Harris Kirumira has petitioned the High Court in Mpigi challenging the election of Sazzi Godfrey as Member of Parliament for Gomba East.
Kirumira alleges that the election was marred by widespread irregularities, including the failure to count results from 13 polling stations.
According to his petition, these stations experienced violence, ballot burning, destruction of voting materials, and intimidation of his supporters.
Addressing the media after filing the case, Kirumira described the process as chaotic and unfair.
“I am here at court today to officially file my petition challenging the results of the Gomba East parliamentary elections. The Electoral Commission provided us with tally sheets, and we discovered that in 13 polling stations we scored zero votes. This raises serious concerns, suggesting an unfair situation where people voted, yet we received no votes,” he said.
Kirumira highlighted additional alleged irregularities, including issues with the voter register, vote-buying, and assaults on his supporters.
“The people of Gomba witnessed irregularities, violence, and intimidation. Because of this and the final declared results, we decided to seek justice in court,” he added.
The candidate is requesting the court to investigate the election process, scrutinize the tally sheets, and determine appropriate remedies, including a potential fresh election.
Supporters who accompanied Kirumira to court described the violence as unprecedented.
“What we witnessed is something never seen before in Gomba. Armed groups disrupted polling stations, assaulted people, and vandalized ballot boxes. In 13 polling stations, all votes were completely affected. We ask the judges to examine our petition carefully and order a fresh election,” they said.
The disputed polling stations include Buyinja Butoole, Tiginya SDA, Kaziba Trading Centre, Buyana Trading Centre, Kimbo Catholic Church (two stations), Ttabba Trading Centre, Serumbe UMEA (two stations), Jumbi Church of Uganda, Kindi Munda Playground, St Peters Ngeribalya, and Buyebeyi Church of Uganda.
In the final results, Kirumira came second with 10,039 votes, while Sazzi secured victory with 11,700 votes.
The High Court is expected to review the petition and deliver its ruling in due course.
