NO DEAL! Sodo, Tumwebaze Reject Mediation As Mawogola North Election Petition Heads For Full Trial
Lawyer Anthony Bazira together with his client Mawogola North MP Aine Godfrey Kaguta at the High Court in Kampala
KAMPALA — Mawogola North MP Aine Godfrey Kaguta, popularly known as Sodo, and his election challenger Jet John Tumwebaze Ndamagi have rejected a court proposal to settle their bitter election dispute through mediation, insisting that the matter must proceed to a full trial.
The two rivals turned down the proposal by High Court Judge Justice Bernard Namanya on Tuesday, setting the stage for a four-day legal battle over allegations of electoral malpractice, academic qualifications and the alleged deployment of armed soldiers during the January 15, 2026 parliamentary elections.
Justice Namanya had encouraged the parties to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) before their next court appearance, suggesting that discussions could establish whether an amicable settlement was possible.
But neither Kaguta nor Tumwebaze was ready to embrace the proposed peace deal.
Tumwebaze, who is seeking to overturn Sodo’s victory, said mediation would be premature given the serious allegations of violence, intimidation and abuse surrounding the election.
He delivered a sharp message to the court, declaring: “You cannot negotiate with a gun on your head.”
The petitioner alleged that several of his supporters, election agents and coordinators were assaulted, detained or injured during the campaign and voting period, citing incidents in Mabindo, Mitima and other parts of Mawogola North.
He argued that his petition was not merely about his personal political ambitions but also about seeking accountability for the alleged mistreatment of voters and people who participated in the electoral process.
Tumwebaze’s petition challenges Kaguta’s election on two major fronts: his academic qualifications and alleged electoral irregularities.
On the academic qualifications question, Tumwebaze contends that Kaguta did not possess or present the minimum educational documents required for election to Parliament at the time of nomination.
He claims the legislator lacked the relevant Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) documents.
The petitioner also accuses the Electoral Commission and the returning officer of unlawfully accepting Kaguta’s nomination without the required academic documentation.
But Sodo has strongly rejected the claims, maintaining that he completed the minimum formal education required by law and that his qualifications were verified by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
In his affidavit in reply, Kaguta relies on UNEB verification letters relating to his UCE and UACE qualifications.
He further argues that any discrepancies between the names on his academic documents and his official names were legally addressed through a deed poll.
His lawyers have also raised a preliminary objection, arguing that any challenge to his academic qualifications should have been raised before polling rather than through an election petition after declaration of the results.
But the academic row is only one part of the explosive petition.
Tumwebaze also accuses Kaguta and individuals allegedly associated with his campaign of involving armed Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel in the electoral process.
He alleges that soldiers were deployed at several polling stations, where they intimidated voters, assaulted election agents and supervisors and interfered with voting.
The petitioner further claims that some of his polling agents were arrested or detained, leaving them unable to effectively monitor the exercise or obtain declaration of results forms.
Other allegations include ballot stuffing, multiple voting, voting by unregistered persons, discrepancies in declaration of results forms and voter bribery.
Tumwebaze specifically points to alleged irregularities at Kyolola Trading Centre, Rwekishugi C.O.U., Mabindo, Kasansa Trading Centre, Kiwuula Playground and Kabarekeera Primary School.
He also alleges that some voters were offered money, drinks and other benefits in exchange for supporting Kaguta.
Sodo has denied the accusations, insisting that the election was conducted in accordance with the law and that his victory reflected the genuine will of the electorate.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Kaguta maintained that the allegations against him should be tested through the judicial process and expressed confidence that the court would ultimately determine the dispute.
He also indicated that he had no objection to the transfer of the case from Masaka to Kampala, saying regular travel to Masaka was inconvenient.
The Electoral Commission, represented by lawyer Eric Sabiiti, maintained that it had evidence showing that Kaguta completed the required studies and said the matter would ultimately be resolved through evidence presented in court.
Sabiiti indicated that the Commission was open to mediation as a possible way of resolving the dispute, although Kaguta himself was not interested in pursuing that option.
With both principal rivals insisting on a full trial, the court has now set strict deadlines ahead of the hearing.
The parties were directed to file replies to new affidavits by November 16, 2026, while rejoinders must be submitted by November 20.
They are also required to prepare and file a joint scheduling memorandum, witness lists and agreed issues for trial by November 23.
The four-day hearing is scheduled to run from November 24 to 27, 2026, when the court is expected to begin examining the evidence behind the competing claims.
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