By Lumpe Media
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has formally responded to a presidential election petition filed at the Supreme Court, urging judges to throw out the case brought by opposition candidate Robert Kasibante, as Uganda’s post-election legal process officially gets underway.
The President’s response was lodged on Monday, January 26, 2026, by his legal representatives, Anthony Bazira and Usaama Sebuufu, following his declaration as winner of the January 15 presidential election by the Electoral Commission (EC).
In the submission, President Museveni firmly rejects all claims contained in the petition, insisting that the election was conducted in full compliance with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws. He has also asked the court to award him costs.
The Electoral Commission announced final results on January 17, declaring Mr Museveni the victor with 7,946,772 votes, accounting for 71.65 percent of all valid ballots cast.
A total of over 11 million votes were registered nationwide, reflecting a voter turnout of 52 percent. The result secured Mr Museveni a seventh elective term, extending his rule that began in 1986 and reinforcing the continued dominance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Mr Kasibante, who ran on the Peasants Party ticket and placed sixth with 33,440 votes, petitioned the Supreme Court contesting both the manner in which the election was conducted and the subsequent declaration of Mr Museveni as president-elect.
Central to the petition are allegations regarding the use of Biometric Voter Verification Systems, which the petitioner claims malfunctioned in several areas, thereby undermining transparency and affecting the credibility of the vote.
The Electoral Commission, led by Justice Simon Byabakama, has also come out in defense of the electoral process, describing the polls as generally peaceful and successful.
Although the commission acknowledged technical challenges with biometric devices at some polling stations, it said alternative measures, including manual voter verification, were implemented to ensure that eligible voters were able to cast their ballots.
The January 15 election featured eight presidential contenders, among them National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi, who finished second, Forum for Democratic Change candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi, and Alliance for National Transformation leader, retired Maj Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu.
Uganda’s presidential elections have routinely been followed by court challenges. President Museveni has previously faced similar petitions after the 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 elections, all of which were dismissed by the Supreme Court.
The Constitution requires the Supreme Court to hear and determine presidential election petitions within 30 days of filing. While the court has not yet issued detailed hearing guidelines, the case is expected to attract significant public interest as proceedings progress.
