An election petition challenging the election of Iganga Municipality Member of Parliament, Samuel Bamuteeze Kungu, has been withdrawn following a court-mediated settlement before the High Court in Iganga.
According to a mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) settlement agreement dated July 13, 2026, the petitioner, Badogi Ismail Waguma, agreed to wholly withdraw Election Petition No. 05 of 2026 against Kungu and the Electoral Commission.
The settlement, reached by consent of all parties, brings the case to an end without proceeding to a full hearing.
Under the agreement, the petitioner formally withdrew the petition against both respondents, while all parties agreed that each side would bear its own legal costs.
The settlement agreement was signed by Badogi Ismail Waguma, Samuel Bamuteeze Kungu, and representatives of the Electoral Commission. It was witnessed by their respective legal teams, including Pande Law Advocates for the petitioner, K&K Advocates for the first respondent, and Madaba Advocates for the Electoral Commission.
The agreement was subsequently endorsed by the High Court in Iganga on July 13, 2026, officially concluding the election petition.
The withdrawal means Kungu’s election remains unchallenged following the out-of-court settlement, while the Electoral Commission is no longer a party to the case.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, commended the withdrawal of an election petition.
Tayebwa praised Waguma’s decision, describing it as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to unity within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“I sincerely appreciate my brother Hajji Ismail Badogi Waguma for voluntarily withdrawing his parliamentary election petition challenging Hon. Kungu Samuel Bamuteeze,” Tayebwa said.
He noted that Waguma’s decision reflected a deep commitment to preserving unity within the NRM and promoting stability and development in Kigulu North Constituency and the wider Busoga sub-region.
Tayebwa described Waguma, who serves as the NRM Treasurer for Iganga District, as a leader who had exhibited remarkable statesmanship by choosing dialogue over prolonged court proceedings.
He added that the move demonstrated Waguma’s understanding of the NRM’s guiding principles and long-term vision under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The Deputy Speaker also urged other NRM members with pending electoral petitions to embrace dialogue and resolve their disputes amicably outside court in the interest of party cohesion.
The mediation agreement was signed by Waguma, Kungu and the Electoral Commission through their respective legal representatives and was endorsed by the High Court in Iganga on July 13, 2026, officially bringing the election petition to an end.
