Ingrid Kamatenenti asks court to nullify Gen Tumukunde’s poll victory

Rukungiri: The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) candidate, Ingrid Kamateneti Turinawe, has filed a petition in the High Court of Uganda challenging the victory of Henry Tumukunde in the Rukungiri Municipality parliamentary elections.

Through her lawyer, Isaac Kwagala of M/S Ssingo Advocates, Turinawe filed the case on Monday March 30, 2026, seeking to overturn the results of the January 15 elections.

She also sued the Electoral Commission of Uganda for allegedly declaring a candidate who was not validly elected.

According to the official results announced by Rukungiri District Returning Officer, Abas Naramara, Tumukunde of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) won the race with 7,115 votes.

Turinawe came second with 6,268 votes, a margin of 847 votes. Independent candidates Wallen Nuwagaba Tumwine and Richard Akanyijuka garnered 297 and 53 votes respectively.

Speaking to journalists at the High Court in Rukungiri, Turinawe’s lawyer Kwagala said the petition seeks to have court review the evidence and declare Turinawe as the validly elected Member of Parliament.

He argued that Tumukunde was not duly elected and faulted the Electoral Commission for wrongly declaring him winner.

Former candidate Turinawe alleged that the election process was marred by widespread irregularities, including voter intimidation, bribery, and chaos at several polling stations.

She revealed that her legal team has prepared more than 200 witnesses to support the petition.

However, Turinawe expressed concern over difficulties in serving court summons to Tumukunde, claiming he has no known residence or office within Rukungiri Municipality.

She noted that her team is making efforts to locate him so that the case can proceed to hearing.

Turinawe called upon her supporters to remain hopeful, expressing confidence that justice will prevail and that she will eventually take her seat in Parliament.

Several of her supporters, including Kinyasano Ward Municipal Councillor Innocent Rubarondesa, along with Dickson Nahwera and Honest Tushemerirwe, accompanied her to court.

They expressed optimism that the petition will succeed, citing strong evidence gathered during the election period.