BY DANIEL MUMBYA: The High Court in Iganga has dismissed an election petition filed by Namumbya Rebecca challenging the victory of Namatende Eunice as the Bugiri District Woman Member of Parliament.
In a ruling delivered on 13th November 2026, Hon. Justice Simon Peter M. Kinobe found the petition lacking merit and filed outside the statutory time limits.
In the petition, Namumbya Rebecca alleged that Namatende Eunice engaged in vote malpractice at various polling centres in Bugiri District, contrary to the election code of conduct.
Namumbya, of the National Unity Platform (NUP), alleged that Namatende and her agents committed the illegal practice of bribery at polling stations in Bugiri District, bribing several voters with Shs 100,000 each with the intention of inducing them to vote for her.
Following the election, the Bugiri District Returning Officer declared Namatende Eunice the Woman Member of Parliament with 50,020 valid votes, against Namumbya Rebecca’s 46,559 votes.
In an interview with Daily Press UG, Namatende called for peace and unity in Bugiri District and pledged to work for the development of the district by lobbying for women development partners, both national and international, for the benefit of Bugiri without discrimination on the basis of political party.
“The next step after winning the petition is reconciliation. I call upon all people of Bugiri to come together and finish the unfinished business for one common goal of development, socially and economically, by supporting the youth and women,” she said.
Namatende urged women to join and embrace all government programmes, saying it is their first role in benefiting from the national cake through Emyooga, Women Empowerment and the Parish Development Model, as she intervenes with others.