President Yoweri Museveni has formally petitioned the Supreme Court of Uganda to throw out a legal challenge against his recent re-election.
The petition, filed by former presidential candidate Robert Kasibante of the National Peasants Party (NPP), alleges that the January 15, 2026, polls were compromised by widespread irregularities.
Museveni’s Legal Defense Rejects Malpractice Claims
In a legal response submitted on Monday afternoon, Museveni’s defense team characterized the allegations as baseless. The President’s lawyers, Anthony Bazira and Usaama Sebuufu, physically lodged the response at the Supreme Court registry.
The defense argues that the election was conducted in strict adherence to the Constitution of Uganda, the Electoral Commission Act, and the Presidential Elections Act. Museveni is now seeking a total dismissal of the case, requesting that the court award costs to the respondent.
Key Arguments in the Kasibante Petition
Robert Kasibante, who secured approximately 0.3% of the vote in the 2026 general election, filed his petition on January 17. His legal challenge claims:
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Systemic Non-Compliance: Allegations that the Electoral Commission failed to follow statutory procedures.
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Gross Violations: Claims of illegal practices and constitutional breaches during the voting process.
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Widespread Irregularities: Assertions that violence and intimidation skewed the final outcome.
However, Museveni’s legal team maintains that even if minor irregularities occurred, they did not “substantially affect” the final results, which saw Museveni declared winner with a significant majority.
30-Day Countdown for Supreme Court Ruling
Under Ugandan law, the Supreme Court is constitutionally mandated to hear and determine presidential election petitions within 30 days of filing. This sets a tight deadline for the justices to review the evidence and issue a final verdict.
Historically, the Supreme Court has handled similar challenges in previous election cycles, all of which resulted in the dismissal of the petitions and the upholding of Museveni’s victory. The court now holds the power to:
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Uphold the election results.
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Annul the vote and order a fresh election within 60 days.
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Declare a different candidate as the validly elected winner.
As the legal battle intensifies, civil society groups continue to monitor the proceedings closely, following a campaign period marked by reports of internet shutdowns and opposition crackdowns.
