The High Court in Mukono has formally allowed the withdrawal of an election petition challenging the victory of Kayunga District Woman Member of Parliament, Ms Harriet Nakwedde, bringing a prolonged legal dispute over the seat to an end.
The petition, filed by NRM-aligned candidate Ms Jackline Birungi Kobusingye, was withdrawn on Wednesday before presiding judge Justice Godfrey Himbaza.
Ms Birungi’s legal team informed the court that their client could no longer proceed with the petition following the sudden death of her father, Mr Moses Karangwa. Karangwa, a prominent businessman and former Kayunga District NRM chairperson, died in a road crash in May.
Addressing the court, Mr Isaac Nambijja, lead counsel for Ms Birungi, explained that his client was grappling with severe emotional distress and needed to step back from litigation to manage family affairs.
“My client is currently facing significant emotional challenges and needs to concentrate on attending to pressing family responsibilities following her father’s passing,” Mr Nambijja said.
The withdrawal concludes a multi-stage legal battle that began shortly after the official declaration of results. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Ms Birungi first applied for a vote recount at the Kayunga Chief Magistrate’s Court. After an unfavorable ruling, she sought a revision of the magistrate’s decision at the Mukono High Court before eventually dropping that application to file a full election petition challenging Ms Nakwedde’s victory.
In the January 15 parliamentary election, Ms Nakwedde, running on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, was declared the winner with 20,753 votes. Independent candidate Ms Aidah Nantaba came second with 16,138 votes, while Ms Birungi finished third with 15,790 votes.
Reacting to the developments, Ms Nakwedde’s lawyer, Mr Andrew Wabwezi, revealed that his team had already prepared preliminary legal objections to dismiss the petition at an early stage.
‘We were fully prepared to expose the metrics of this race in open court, but our client has graciously consented to the withdrawal without costs,’ Mr Wabwezi said outside court. He added that the withdrawal serves as a vindication of Ms Nakwedde’s mandate, noting that the prolonged dispute had needlessly consumed time and resources that could have been directed toward constituent service.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, a relieved Ms Nakwedde recounted the lengthy legal process she had endured since the election was concluded.
‘We began with the recount application in Kayunga. Being dissatisfied with what the magistrate pronounced, they came for a revision here and later brought an election petition, which has finally been concluded today,’ Ms Nakwedde said.
She thanked the NUP leadership and her supporters for standing by her throughout the legal battle. She also confirmed that she would not seek court costs from the petitioner.
‘I forgive her. I don’t need anything from her,’ Ms Nakwedde stated, adding that her focus is now entirely on her legislative duties. ‘I am here to serve you [the people of Kayunga], and I know I am going to serve you diligently.’
Justice Himbaza’s decision to grant the withdrawal leaves Ms Nakwedde securely in office as the elected Woman Member of Parliament for Kayunga District, as the substantive allegations raised in the petition will no longer be heard.