Africa-Press – Uganda. A former Kitagwenda County Member of Parliament aspirant, Agaba Abbas Mugisha, has petitioned the High Court in Fort Portal, seeking to nullify the election of National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Mugabe Robert as the area MP.
In Election Petition No. 04 of 2026, filed under the Parliamentary Elections Act and seen by Nile Post, Mugisha challenges the declaration of Mugabe Robert by the Electoral Commission as the duly elected Member of Parliament following the January 15, 2026 polls.
According to the petition, Mugisha contends that Mugabe Robert was “not validly registered on the voters’ roll” and therefore did not meet the legal requirements to contest for the parliamentary seat.
The petitioner further alleges that the respondent fraudulently assumed a different identity. Court documents state that “the 1st Respondent was born on October 25, 1984, and was named Bikorwomuhangi Sarapio,” before later adopting the name Mugabe Robert using allegedly forged documents.
Mugisha also claims that the respondent lacks the minimum academic qualifications required by law. In the petition, he asserts that “well knowing that he had no valid academic documents beyond his PLE, he forged academic documents from various institutions, baptizing himself as Mugabe Robert.”
The petition references past incidents, alleging that the respondent’s nomination in the 2021 general elections was cancelled due to fraud, with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) reportedly nullifying his academic documents.
In addition, Mugisha accuses Mugabe Robert of engaging in electoral malpractice, specifically voter bribery through mobile money transactions. The court filing states that “the Respondent… bribed voters using his mobile number with intent to influence and procure their votes,” citing specific transactions allegedly sent to a voter in November 2025.
The petitioner further faults the Electoral Commission for failing to act on complaints raised prior to the elections. According to the petition, “the failure by the 2nd Respondent to act… was deliberate to pave the way for the 1st Respondent to participate in the electoral process.”
Official results declared Mugabe Robert the winner with 33,249 votes, defeating several candidates, including Mugisha, who garnered 10,193 votes.
Through the petition, Mugisha is seeking several court declarations, including that the respondent was not validly registered as a voter, does not possess the required academic qualifications, and was not eligible for nomination or election. He is also asking the court to set aside the election results.
Mugisha further prays that he be declared the duly elected Member of Parliament for Kitagwenda County. Alternatively, he requests the court to order a fresh election for the constituency.
The High Court has since issued a notice requiring the respondents to file their defence within 10 days, warning that the case may proceed in their absence if they fail to respond.
The petition is expected to attract significant public and legal attention, as it raises serious questions about the eligibility of the declared winner and the conduct of the Electoral Commission in managing the electoral process.
