President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss with costs a presidential election petition filed by his political rival, Robert Kasibante, challenging his victory in the January 2026 polls.
In a response filed by his lawyers, Usaama Sebuufu and Anthony Bazira, Museveni argues that the petition is legally defective, unsupported by evidence, and discloses no valid grievance under the Constitution.
He denies all allegations raised by Kasibante and maintains that the election was conducted in full compliance with the law.
Museveni contends that any alleged non-compliance with electoral laws, which he denies, did not substantially affect the outcome of the election.
Kasibante, who contested on the National Peasants Party (NPP) ticket, petitioned the Supreme Court accusing Museveni of multiple electoral malpractices, including violence, voter bribery, intimidation, abuse of state resources, and systemic non-compliance with electoral laws.
A key issue in the petition relates to the voters’ register and the use of biometric voter verification machines. Kasibante argues that the technology lacked a clear legal framework and was unreliable.
In response, Museveni states that the Electoral Commission lawfully compiled, updated, displayed, and maintained a credible national voters’ register, and that biometric verification was introduced to enhance electoral integrity.
He adds that where machines failed, voters were identified using the voters’ roll and no voter was disenfranchised to his advantage.
On claims that some polling stations were not properly gazetted, Museveni insists that all polling stations were lawfully established and gazetted in accordance with the law.
He further defends the counting, tallying, and transmission of results, saying the processes were transparent and conducted in the presence of candidates or their agents, enabling results to be declared within the constitutionally mandated 48 hours.
Museveni’s lawyer, Usaama Sebuufu, said the President has complied with all directions issued by the Supreme Court.
The Electoral Commission and the Attorney General have already filed their responses ahead of the hearing of an application for discovery scheduled for Wednesday 28th January,2026.
According to court records, the Electoral Commission declared Museveni winner on January 17, 2026, with 7,946,772 votes.
NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu obtained 2,741,238 votes, FDC’s Nathan Nandala Mafabi garnered 209,039 votes.
ANT’s Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu received 59,276 votes, Frank Buliira polled 45,959 votes, Mubarak Munyagwa got 31,666 votes, while Kasibante obtained 33,440 votes.
Report by: Betty Zziwa
