Uganda: Masaka High Court Dismisses Ssempijja Petition Challenging Nkerettanyi's Election

The High Court in Masaka has dismissed a petition filed by former Kalungu East parliamentary candidate Vincent Ssempijja challenging the election of National Unity Platform candidate Yusuf Kiruruuta Nkerettanyi as the constituency's Member of Parliament.

The ruling effectively leaves Nkerettanyi's election as the Member of Parliament for Kalungu East undisturbed.

Ssempijja, a former Defence Minister and former Kalungu East MP, petitioned the High Court challenging Nkerettanyi's victory in the January 2026 parliamentary election.

He had asked court to overturn the declaration of Nkerettanyi as the duly elected MP, citing alleged irregularities in the conduct of the election.

The petition came after Ssempijja, father of Masaka City Woman MP and junior local government minister Justine Nameere, had earlier pursued a vote recount through the Masaka Chief Magistrate's Court.

Nkerettanyi, who contested on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, was declared winner of the Kalungu East parliamentary race after polling 15,473 votes, while Ssempijja garnered 13,219 votes, according to results reported after the election.

Ssempijja subsequently challenged the result, arguing that irregularities had affected the outcome.

The High Court petition became one of several election disputes arising from the 2026 General Election that were presented before the Masaka High Court.

When the petition came before court on September 14, Nkerettanyi's lawyers raised a preliminary objection over the timing of its filing, arguing that it had been lodged outside the statutory 30-day period following gazetting of the elected candidate.

Ssempijja's legal team asked court for an opportunity to validate the pleadings, and the matter proceeded for determination.

The latest ruling brings the challenge to Nkerettanyi's election to an end at the High Court level, unless any further legal avenue is pursued.

Nkerettanyi therefore retains his position as the declared Member of Parliament for Kalungu East.

Read the original article on Nile Post.