Kampala – State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Persis Namuganza, is facing a fresh legal challenge to her parliamentary victory in Bukono County, Namutumba District, as losing candidates file election petitions at the High Court in Iganga.
According to court documents and reports, Emmanuel Maganda Katoko, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, has petitioned the court accusing the independent candidate Namuganza of election violence, vote rigging, bribery, and other malpractices during the January 15, 2026 general elections.
The High Court in Iganga has already cleared a major procedural hurdle for the case. On April 13, 2026, Justice Batema N.D.A granted Maganda permission to serve the petition on Namuganza through substituted means — publication in a leading newspaper (Daily Monitor or New Vision) and her personal email — after multiple failed attempts to serve her personally at her known residences and ministry offices.
Multiple Petitions Rock Namutumba
Namuganza’s case is part of a wave of election disputes in Namutumba District. At least four losing candidates have filed petitions challenging victories in the area, citing alleged irregularities including voter bribery, pre-ticked ballots, and manipulation of results.
Namuganza, who ran as an independent after losing the NRM primaries, narrowly defeated Maganda Katoko in the general election. She has dismissed the petitions as politically motivated and linked to internal NRM power struggles, particularly rivalries involving Speaker Anita Among.
“It is Anita Among who told them to petition against us because we defeated her and her allies. I am not afraid, and I am ready and determined to win the case,” Namuganza stated.
She has assured her supporters in Bukono that she will be sworn in and retain her seat, describing the challenges as unsurprising given past tensions during party primaries.
Context of the Political Battle
The disputes reflect deep divisions in Busoga politics, often linked to factions aligned with Speaker Anita Among and First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga. Namuganza has previously credited voters for defeating candidates perceived to be in the Among camp.
Residents of Namutumba have expressed fatigue over the continuous political fights, warning that such rivalries are hindering development in the district.
The High Court is yet to set hearing dates for the petitions. Under Ugandan law, election petitions must be determined within six months.
TrendingUg.com will continue to monitor the case and provide updates as the legal process unfolds.
