Court Allows Substituted Service in Mao Election Petition Case

21 April 2026, 11:05 am

by odong James

The High Court in Gulu has granted an application allowing substituted service in an election petition involving Norbert Mao.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Phillip Odoki on Monday, the court allowed applicant Kitara Tonny to serve Mao through a newspaper advertisement and a court notice, after several attempts at personal service failed.

Court documents indicate that efforts to reach Mao by phone and at his office in Kampala were unsuccessful, prompting the application.

The judge also extended the time for filing the application, noting that the delay was caused by the Easter public holidays.

Justice Odoki ruled that the applicant had demonstrated sufficient effort to locate the respondent and emphasized the importance of ensuring both parties are heard in election matters.

The case arises from Election Petition Number 001 of 2026, whose outcome will determine further legal costs.