High Court Dismisses Hillary Kiyaga’s Election Petition, Upholds Amelia Kyambadde’s Mawokota North Victory
+256 702 23 93 37: The Election Results That Triggered The Court Battle According to the Electoral Commission's published results, Kyambadde was declared winner of the January 15, 2026 parliamentary election with 27,075 votes, against Kiyaga's 24,801 votes.
UgandaToday: High Court Dismisses Hillary Kiyaga’s Election Petition, Upholds Amelia Kyambadde’s Mawokota North Victory
Uganda Today | Politics and Governance | 13 November 2026
The political contest for Mawokota North has taken a decisive turn after incumbent Member of Parliament Amelia Anne Kyambadde announced that the High Court had dismissed the election petition challenging her victory in the January 2026 general elections.
Kyambadde, communicating through her official X account, @AKyambadde, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, saying her electoral victory had been upheld and that justice had prevailed.
In a message directed to her supporters and constituents, she thanked the people of Mawokota North for their continued support and confidence, describing the court victory as a collective achievement.
Her announcement marks a significant development in a closely watched electoral dispute involving the former Mawokota North legislator, Hillary Innocent Kiyaga, popularly known as Dr Hilderman, who contested the January parliamentary election under the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The Election Results That Triggered The Court Battle
According to the Electoral Commission’s published results, Kyambadde was declared winner of the January 15, 2026 parliamentary election with 27,075 votes, against Kiyaga’s 24,801 votes.
The difference between the two candidates was 2,274 votes, a margin that became the subject of a legal challenge.
Kiyaga, who contested on the NUP ticket, subsequently petitioned the High Court in Mpigi, questioning the credibility of the election process and the declaration of results.
The petition named Kyambadde and the Electoral Commission as respondents.
Allegations Of Altered Declaration Of Results Forms
At the centre of Kiyaga’s petition were allegations that some Declaration of Results (DR) forms used in determining the final election outcome had been altered.
His legal team argued that copies of the results forms in their possession differed from the certified copies presented by the Electoral Commission.
The disputed documents reportedly contained discrepancies involving figures relating to votes cast, rejected ballots, unused ballot papers and other election accounting details.
Several polling stations were mentioned during the proceedings, including Ssali Compound Kolokolo, Bulamu Church of Uganda Primary School, Bujuuko UMEA Primary School, Tirobogo Primary School and Buyala Church of Uganda Primary School.
The petitioner also questioned the absence of polling agents’ signatures on some of the disputed declaration forms.
These allegations formed a substantial part of the legal contest, with the petitioner seeking to demonstrate that irregularities had affected the credibility of the declared results.
Kyambadde And Electoral Officials Defended The Results
During the court proceedings, Kyambadde defended her election victory and rejected suggestions that alterations on the declaration forms were intended to manipulate the results in her favour.
Former Mpigi District Returning Officer Evarist Twinomujuni also appeared before court and was questioned about the disputed documents.
He acknowledged that some forms contained corrections but maintained that these were administrative adjustments made by presiding officers to correct clerical mistakes.
He further defended the processing of results forms that did not carry the signatures of some candidates’ polling agents, arguing that their absence did not automatically invalidate the documents.
Kyambadde also faced questions concerning her resignation from her former position as Presidential Advisor on Trade and Industry before contesting the parliamentary election.
She maintained that she had resigned and that her departure had been formally acknowledged.
Court Proceedings And Earlier Setbacks For Kiyaga
The main petition was preceded by several applications through which Kiyaga sought access to election-related documents.
On September 16, 2026, the court dismissed an application seeking to compel the Electoral Commission to release certain election materials.
Another application seeking to compel Kyambadde to produce declaration of results forms from 37 polling stations was dismissed on September 30.
In the latter decision, Justice Jamson Karemani found that the application suffered from procedural and evidential shortcomings, including delay and failure to demonstrate that Kyambadde possessed the additional documents being sought.
However, it is important to distinguish those earlier interlocutory decisions from the final judgment delivered on November 13. The earlier rulings did not, by themselves, determine the substantive election petition.
November 13: The Decisive Day
The High Court had scheduled November 13, 2026, for the delivery of its final judgment after the conclusion of witness examination and the filing of written submissions by the parties.
The proceedings attracted considerable political interest because the case involved two prominent political figures with competing claims to the parliamentary seat.
Kyambadde’s announcement indicates that the court has dismissed the substantive petition and upheld her election.
The full written judgment should be consulted to establish the judge’s precise findings, legal reasoning, treatment of the individual allegations and any orders concerning costs or further proceedings.
What The Decision Means For Mawokota North
For Kyambadde, the decision represents an important political and legal reprieve, allowing her to continue representing Mawokota North without the threat of losing her parliamentary seat through this particular petition.
For her supporters, it is a vindication of the electoral outcome they defended.
For Kiyaga and his supporters, however, the outcome represents a setback in their attempt to overturn the January election result.
The decision also offers an opportunity for political stakeholders in Mawokota North to redirect their attention towards constituency development, service delivery and the expectations of the electorate.
An election petition is ultimately a legal process through which competing claims about electoral conduct are tested against evidence and the law.
A Victory Beyond The Courtroom?
Kyambadde’s message thanking the people of Mawokota North suggests that she views the ruling as more than a personal legal victory.
Her appeal to continue the work already started points towards the political responsibility that comes with retaining an elected office.
Having emerged victorious from the court challenge, attention will now turn to how she consolidates her political position, responds to the concerns of constituents and fulfils the promises made during the election campaign.
For Kiyaga, the case closes an important chapter in his challenge to the election outcome, although any decision about possible further legal action would depend on the available legal remedies and advice from his lawyers.
Ultimately, the people of Mawokota North remain the central stakeholders in this political contest. Their interest extends beyond who wins or loses in court to whether their elected representative delivers on the promises made to them.
Research Sources And Editorial Verification
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