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Kampala – Robert Kasibante, one of the candidates in the 2026 presidential election, has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the victory of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
In a petition filed on Monday, Kasibante alleges that the presidential election was marred by widespread electoral irregularities, illegalities and non-compliance with electoral laws, which substantially affected the outcome.
Kasibante, who contested on the Peasants Party ticket, filed the petition under Article 104 of the Constitution and Section 61 of the Presidential Elections Act. He challenges both the declaration of the results and the manner in which the election was conducted.
According to the petition, the presidential election was held on January 15, 2026, and on January 17, the Electoral Commission declared Museveni the winner with 7,946,772 votes. Kasibante was credited with 33,440 votes. Other candidates included Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who garnered 2,741,238 votes, Nathan Nandala Mafabi with 209,039 votes, and Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu with 59,276 votes.
In his affidavit in support of the petition, Kasibante contends that the Electoral Commission failed in its constitutional duty to organise and conduct a free and fair election. He alleges that the Commission acted under the influence of the first respondent and other state actors, arguing that it lacked independence in the organisation, supervision and conduct of the presidential poll.
Kasibante further alleges that security forces, including the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force, were involved in acts of violence, intimidation and harassment targeting opposition candidates and their supporters during the campaign period. He states that his campaign activities were disrupted on several occasions, with his supporters subjected to teargas and physical assaults.
The petitioner also claims that other presidential candidates, including Robert Kyagulanyi and Nathan Nandala Mafabi, faced similar harassment and violence. He cites incidents in districts such as Gulu, Arua, Iganga and Namisindwa as examples of what he describes as systematic repression during the campaigns.
Kasibante argues that the cumulative effect of the alleged illegalities and irregularities rendered the entire electoral process fundamentally flawed and significantly affected the final result.
He also challenges the Electoral Commission’s directive that required voters to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots. Kasibante contends that the directive was unlawful and undermined transparency, noting that electoral laws permit voters to remain at least 20 metres away from polling stations to observe the voting and counting process.
The respondents have ten days from the date of service of the petition to file their answers. Should they fail to do so, the Supreme Court may proceed to hear the matter in their absence.
