Rukungiri High Court Sets December 16 for Judgment in Tumukunde Election Petition

Rukungiri: Rukungiri High Court has set December 16, 2026, as the date for delivery of judgment in an election petition filed by Ingrid Kamateneti of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), challenging the election of Gen. Henry Tumukunde as the Member of Parliament for Rukungiri Municipality.

The petition also names the Electoral Commission as the second respondent.

The judgment date was set on October 8 at 7:36 PM by Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire after the three-day hearing concluded at Rukungiri High Court.

The hearing commenced on October 6 and concluded on October 8, 2026.

During the final day of the hearing, the petitioner’s legal team cross-examined witnesses presented by both the first respondent, Gen. Henry Tumukunde, and the second respondent, the Electoral Commission.

Among those cross-examined were Gen. Henry Tumukunde, his son Philip Ndamira Tumukunde, Rukungiri District Police Commander Brian Ampeire, Rukungiri District Electoral Commission Returning Officer Abas K. Namara, Hillary Beinomugisha and Mackline Musiimenta, among others.

During cross-examination, Gen. Tumukunde denied allegations that he tampered with declaration of results forms at some polling stations, including Rukondo Church of Uganda, Kitimba Primary School A, and Marumba Health Centre II, where the petitioner alleged discrepancies in the results.

Tumukunde also denied allegations of distributing solar equipment during the election period and campaigning outside the Electoral Commission campaign schedule.

The petitioner had alleged that on November 24, 2025, Tumukunde campaigned in Kigina instead of Kitimba. However, Tumukunde denied the allegation.

Meanwhile, Returning Officer Abas K. Namara told court that the election was conducted in accordance with the law and said he was not aware of any irregularities.

However, during cross-examination, Namara admitted that there were errors at Kitimba Primary School A polling station.

He told court that 158 voters were recorded as having voted for the Woman Member of Parliament, while 205 voters were recorded as having voted for the Municipality Member of Parliament, creating a difference of 46 votes, despite the elections having been held on the same day.

Namara also admitted an error at Marumba Health Centre II polling station, where 175 ballot papers were reportedly placed in the ballot box before voting. Of these, 174 were used, meaning one ballot paper should have remained unused. However, Electoral Commission records indicated that 125 ballot papers were unused.

At Rukondo Church of Uganda polling station, Namara also acknowledged a discrepancy in the results, where 248 voters were recorded as having voted, despite the voters’ register containing only 161 registered voters at the polling station.

Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire is expected to deliver the judgment on December 16, 2026.