The Kabale High Court has barred the media from providing live coverage of the hearing of two election petitions challenging the victory of Bukimbiri County MP Eddie Kwizera wa Gahungu.
Justice Dr Lubega Farouq, who is presiding over the petitions, issued the directive on Wednesday during a scheduling conference at the court premises.
The judge said the substantive hearing of the petitions will begin on Thursday.
The petitions were separately filed by Asgario Turyagyenda and James Owebeyi, who are challenging the election of Kwizera as the Member of Parliament for Bukimbiri County in Kisoro District.
The petitioners contend that Kwizera was not validly elected during the 2026 General Election.
Justice Lubega directed journalists to leave the courtroom before proceedings begin and switch off their phones and other recording devices during the hearing.
He said journalists would be allowed to take photographs and make recordings before the court session begins but warned that the court would check phones for recordings.
The judge said anyone found violating the directive could face action in accordance with the law.
He further directed journalists to wait outside the courtroom and obtain briefings from the parties involved after the proceedings.
Justice Lubega also urged the parties to respect each other throughout the hearing.
According to the results of the January 15, 2026 General Election, Kwizera, the incumbent MP who contested as an independent candidate, retained the seat with 14,761 votes.
Turyagyenda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, polled 12,553 votes, while Owebeyi, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer, received 102 votes.
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His Worship Kenneth Tumwebaze, the Assistant Registrar at the Kabale High Court Circuit, said the election petition cases before the court had resumed on Wednesday.
He said the court would hear submissions from both sides and consider the evidence presented before making its ruling.
“After hearing from both sides and gathering all the necessary information and evidence, the court will make its ruling on the petitions,” Tumwebaze said.
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The substantive hearing of the two petitions is expected to start on Thursday.
