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Justices of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court in Kampala has granted an application to withdraw the presidential election petition challenging the election of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni following the 15 January 2026 general elections. As a result, President Museveni stands conclusively elected as President of the Republic of Uganda.

The petition, Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2026, together with Presidential Election Application No. 1 of 2026, had been filed by Robert Kasibante, a former presidential candidate. The petitioner (Kasibante) sought Court to nullify presidential election results from the 15 January, 2026general elections on grounds of alleged non-compliance with electoral laws and electoral irregularities. He also applied for orders permitting access to and a forensic audit of the Electoral Commission's electronic voting, transmission, and tallying systems, including Biometric Voter Verification records, scanners, servers, and election returns.

Before the court could determine the related application for audit orders, the petitioner sought leave to withdraw both the petition and the application. He informed court that conducting the proposed forensic audit would involve processing extensive electronic data, requiring specialized independent experts, advanced data analysis equipment, and substantial time to meet evidentiary standards. He stated that the financial and logistical costs involved were beyond his means.

The petitioner further acknowledged that without the evidence anticipated from the audit, the material already filed would be insufficient to prove the allegations in the petition to the required legal standard. He also indicated that efforts to obtain supporting evidence from other presidential candidates had been unsuccessful. He prayed that each party bear its own costs.

Pursuant to the Presidential Elections Act and the Presidential Election Petition Rules, withdrawal of a petition requires leave of court. The Respondents (Attorney General, Electoral Commission, and President Museveni), did not oppose the withdrawal but sought an order for costs incurred in defending the proceedings.

In a unanimous decision delivered today by a panel of nine Justices led by the Chief Justice, Dr. Flavian Zeija, together with Lady Justice Percy Night Tuhaise, Justice Mike Chibita, Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke, Justice Stephen Musota,Justice Christopher Madrama Izama, Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi, and Justice Kibeedi Muzamiru Mutangula, Court granted leave to withdraw both the petition and the related application. 

Court held that while withdrawal is not automatic and must be justified, refusal of leave in the present circumstances would serve no practical purpose, particularly in light of the petitioner’s admission that he lacked sufficient evidence to prove the allegations. Court accordingly dismissed both matters(petition and application). On the issue of costs, eight Justices of the panel held that each party should bear its own costs.

"By the unanimous decision of the Court, the application for withdrawal (i.e. Presidential Election Application No. 3 of 2026) is hereby granted. Consequently, Presidential Election Petition No. 01 of 2026 and Presidential Election Application No. 1 of 2026 are hereby discontinued."

"Following the withdrawal of Presidential Election Petition No. 01 of 2026, and there being in existence no valid legal challenge of the results of the Presidential Election held on 15th January 2026, we, by the unanimous decision of the Court, made in accordance with Section 61(4) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap.179, hereby declare and confirm that the 1st Respondent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, being the candidate earlier declared by the 2nd Respondent, the Electoral Commission, as the winner of the Presidential Elections, is the duly elected President of Uganda," the ruling reads in part.