2026 POLLS COURT BATTLE! Court Throws Out Rwambikana, Ahabwe Petition Against Kajara MP Byenjeru

By Amos Tayebwa
NTUNGAMO

Former Kajara County MP aspirants Deus Muhwezi Rwambikana and Venancio Ahabwe have been slapped with costs after the High Court in Mbarara dismissed their election petition challenging the victory of incumbent MP Hunter Byenjeru Tukahairwa.

The ruling, delivered electronically through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) on October 12, 2026, by Justice Tom Chemtai, upheld Byenjeru’s election as the directly elected Member of Parliament for Kajara County, Ntungamo District.

Rwambikana and Ahabwe had separately challenged Byenjeru’s victory, alongside the Electoral Commission, alleging that the electoral body had acted illegally when it nominated and allowed him to contest and win the parliamentary seat.

The petitioners argued that the Electoral Commission had failed to conduct the election in accordance with the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, as amended, and the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177.

Their case centred on Section 49(7) of the Leadership Code Act, which they argued barred Byenjeru from holding public office for five years following an order issued against him by the Leadership Code Tribunal.

The petitioners contended that the tribunal’s decision, which resulted in Byenjeru’s removal from his position as Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Health, rendered him ineligible to contest for Parliament.

However, Justice Chemtai ruled that the petitioners should have appealed to the High Court against the Electoral Commission’s decision on their pre-nomination complaint.

The court also found that Byenjeru had been demoted but not dismissed from public service, and was therefore not barred from contesting under the cited provisions of the Leadership Code Act.

It further held that Byenjeru qualified for nomination and was validly nominated and elected as Kajara County MP.

“In the premises, the petition is dismissed with costs in accordance with the above rule. The election of the 1st Respondent as a directly Elected Member of Parliament for Kajara County, Ntungamo District is accordingly confirmed,” Justice Chemtai ruled.

The dismissal marks a legal victory for Byenjeru, who had faced a challenge to his parliamentary seat over his eligibility to contest in the 2026 elections.

The Kajara petition is reported to be the first election petition filed at the Mbarara High Court challenging results of the 2026 elections to be dismissed.

Reacting to the ruling, Byenjeru called on voters in Kajara County to remain calm, unite and focus on development.

He urged his political rivals to put aside their differences and work together for the good of the constituency, saying he remained committed to serving the electorate in line with his mandate as MP.

Byenjeru also called for collective efforts to make Kajara a model county, stressing the need to prioritise community development over political disagreements.