By Bamutaze Sam Mwanjje
The Chief Magistrate’s Court of Mayuge District has dismissed an election petition filed by Waira Kiwalabye Majegere James, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for Bunya County East, challenging the outcome of the January 15, 2026 general election.
Majegere, a former two-term Member of Parliament, lost the seat to Bishop Ekoro Alex Irukan of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). According to results declared by the Electoral Commission, Irukan garnered 13,994 votes, while Majegere obtained 13,573 votes.
Through his lawyers led by Counsel Kilema Faizo, Majegere petitioned the Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking a recount of votes, alleging electoral malpractice and vote rigging by the NRM candidate.
However, in a ruling delivered at 1:30pm, Chief Magistrate John Paul Osauro dismissed the application, citing failure by the petitioner to comply with mandatory provisions of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The court found that Majegere did not properly deposit the required security for costs, noting that proof of payment was only presented on the day of hearing, contrary to the law.
The magistrate further ruled that the law requires applications for vote recounts to be filed within four days, and in any case not later than seven days after the declaration of results. The court held that Majegere failed to meet these statutory timelines.
“On those grounds, the application is null and void,” the magistrate ruled.
Majegere’s petition was therefore dismissed without the court delving into the merits of the alleged electoral irregularities.
Majegere is among the former Members of Parliament who voted in favour of the removal of presidential age limits before later crossing to the National Unity Platform in 2022.
