The National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Bukimbiri County in Kisoro District, Asigario Turyagyenda, has petitioned the High Court in Kabale seeking to nullify the victory of Eddie Kwizera wa Gahungu in the 2026 general elections.
Turyagyenda cites voter intimidation, bribery, and ballot stuffing as the key grounds for his petition, arguing that the alleged irregularities substantially affected the outcome of the election.
Bukimbiri County has a history of electoral disputes. In 2021, James Owebeyi Mugyemanyi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) challenged the election results over alleged misplacement of names and photographs on ballot papers. In 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered a by-election, which was subsequently won by Kwizera.
Ahead of the 2025 NRM primaries, Kwizera raised concerns about irregularities in the party register at Kisoro District Headquarters and later opted to contest as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections.
During the October 2025 nominations conducted by the Electoral Commission, Kwizera stood as an independent, Turyagyenda represented the NRM, while Owebeyi ran on the FDC ticket.
Following the January 15 polls, Turyagyenda conceded defeat at Mountain Breeze (Bam II) polling station but maintained that irregularities had influenced the final outcome, vowing to seek legal redress.
According to the final results, Kwizera (Independent) garnered 14,761 votes, Turyagyenda (NRM) secured 12,553 votes, and Owebeyi (FDC) received 102 votes.
Court documents seen on Tuesday confirm that Election Petition No. 1 of 2026 was duly filed at the High Court of Uganda in Kabale. The petition challenges the declaration of Kwizera as the validly elected Member of Parliament for Bukimbiri County, Kisoro District.
The court has since issued a notice requiring the respondents, Eddie Kwizera wa Gahungu and the Electoral Commission to file their responses within 10 days from the date of service.
Court states that failure to do so will result in the petition being heard and determined in their absence.
