The High Court of Uganda has dismissed an election petition filed by State Minister for Water and Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar, who sought to overturn the victory of Denis Onekalit Amere in the January 2026 Kitgum Municipality parliamentary elections. In a ruling delivered on November 9, 2026, Justice Amos Kwizera found that Anywar had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the alleged electoral offences and irregularities. The court dismissed the petition with costs, thereby upholding Amere's election.
Amere, who contested on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, secured 6,176 votes in the January 15 election, defeating Anywar, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, who polled 5,013 votes. Anywar had challenged the results, accusing Amere, the Electoral Commission, and Kitgum District Returning Officer Betty Atim Owot of presiding over an election marred by irregularities. Her petition cited alleged voter bribery, intimidation, violence, and harassment of her polling agents.
The court ruled that the allegations had not been substantiated with sufficient evidence. Justice Kwizera particularly found that the claims of violence and intimidation had not been proved as electoral offences attributable to Amere under Section 80(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act. The judge stated that no single electoral offence or malpractice as alleged by the petitioner had been proved to the required standard.
The petition also encountered procedural challenges during the hearing. In September, the court dismissed Anywar's application seeking the production of the voters' register for inspection. The cross-examination of witnesses was later abandoned after three of her lawyers were involved in a road accident while traveling to Kitgum. The case subsequently proceeded largely through affidavits and written submissions.
Anywar previously represented the area twice on the FDC ticket before crossing to the NRM, under which she has served as State Minister for Environment since 2019. Amere was represented by Asuman Basalirwa & Company Advocates and Barirere & Company Advocates. Anywar was represented by Cumberland Advocates and Bashasha & Company Advocates, while the Electoral Commission and the returning officer were represented by ALP Advocates.
The judgment was electronically transmitted to the parties' advocates in accordance with the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2025. With the petition dismissed, Amere retains his parliamentary seat as the duly elected MP for Kitgum Municipality. This ruling brings an end to the electoral dispute, allowing Amere to continue representing his constituents.
The outcome of this case highlights the importance of providing sufficient evidence in election petitions. The court's decision demonstrates that allegations of electoral irregularities must be substantiated with credible evidence to be considered valid. As a result, Amere's victory in the January 2026 elections has been upheld, and he will continue to serve as the MP for Kitgum Municipality.
Key points
- The High Court dismissed Anywar's election petition due to lack of evidence.
- Amere won the January 2026 Kitgum Municipality parliamentary elections with 6,176 votes.
- The court's ruling upholds Amere's election, allowing him to retain his parliamentary seat.
