Hon. Kathika files petition against EC & MP-Elect for Busongora South

28 March 2026, 8:14 pm

By Joel Kaguta,

Hon. Jackson Mbaju Kathika has filed an election petition against the Busongora County South Member of Parliament–elect, the Kasese District Returning Officer, and the Electoral Commission over alleged electoral malpractice.

Mr. Godfrey Mbabazi, the Kasese District Returning Officer, declared, Mr. David Isimbwa Mulindwa the winner of the parliamentary seat after garnering 10,845 votes against Hon. Kathika’s 10,760 votes. This means that Mr. Mulindwa defeated Hon. Kathika by a margin of 85 votes.

In late January this year, Hon. Kathika, who contested in the January 2026 parliamentary elections on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, petitioned the Kasese High Court seeking a recount of votes from three polling stations. However, the High Court, presided over by His Worship George Mfitundinda, dismissed the application on the grounds that the seals used to secure the three ballot boxes had already been tampered with.

Through a Kampala-based law firm, J. Byamukama and Company Advocates, Hon. Kathika stated that Mr. Mulindwa was the only candidate among the seven contenders who received different declaration forms from each of the affected polling stations.

The contested polling stations are St. Peter’s Primary School compound in Kyarukara Ward, St. Jude Primary School (A–K) in Rwenjubu Ward, and Jabez Primary School compound (A–K), all located in Katwe-Kabatooro Town Council.

In a recorded audio shared with Kasese Guide Radio, Hon. Kathika explained that his legal team has already served all three respondents in the election petition.

In a telephone interview this evening, Mr. Mulindwa confirmed that his legal team had been served by Hon. Kathika’s lawyers. Hon. Mulindwa speaking..