Museveni Asks Supreme Court to Dismiss Presidential Election Challenge

KAMPALA: President Museveni has formally asked Uganda’s Supreme Court of Uganda to dismiss a presidential election petition filed by former candidate Robert Kasibante, denying allegations that the January 15 poll was marred by widespread irregularities.

In a response filed by his legal team this Monday afternoon, Museveni rejects all claims raised in the petition and urges the court to “dismiss the case with costs.”

The response documents were physically lodged at the Supreme Court by lawyers Anthony Bazira and Usaama Sebuufu on behalf of the president, according to court records seen by ChimpReports.

Kasibante filed the petition on Jan. 17, challenging Museveni’s re-election and arguing that the entire electoral process was tainted by “widespread illegalities” and “gross violations” of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission Act and the Presidential Elections Act.

Museveni’s response contends that the election was “conducted in accordance with Ugandan law” and that the petitioner has “failed to provide sufficient evidence to support claims of systemic non-compliance or electoral malpractice.”

The president’s lawyers argue that any “alleged irregularities, if they occurred, did not substantially affect the final result of the vote.”

30 days

The filing sets the stage for a high-profile legal battle at the country’s top court, which is constitutionally required to hear and determine presidential election petitions within 30 days of filing.

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Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has previously faced similar challenges after successive elections, all of which were ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Opposition politicians and civil society groups have repeatedly accused authorities of voter intimidation, campaign restrictions and manipulation of electoral processes — allegations the government and the electoral commission consistently deny.

The Supreme Court may uphold the election results, annul the vote, or order fresh elections if it finds that the poll was not conducted in accordance with the law and that the irregularities materially affected the outcome.

Neither Kasibante nor the Electoral Commission immediately responded to requests for comment.