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By Ben Musanje
Political temperatures have resumed in Masaka City after Rose Nalubowa stormed the High Court with a powerful election petition challenging the shock decision that overturned her victory in the Woman MP race.
Nalubowa, the candidate of the National Unity Platform, officially filed her petition on March 6, 2026, armed with certified documents and strong evidence proving she was the rightful winner of the January 15 parliamentary election. She is taking on three respondents: her rival Justine Nameere of the National Resistance Movement, the Masaka City Returning Officer Ahmed Nadduli Musisi, and the Electoral Commission of Uganda. Nalubowa is being represented by the law firms Alaka & Co. Advocates from Kololo, Kampala, and Xander Advocates from Masaka City.
The election results were initially clear. Returning Officer Ahmed Nadduli Musisi had declared Nalubowa the winner with 25,443 votes, defeating Nameere who had 20,324 votes. Juliet Nakabuye Kakande of the Democratic Front received 6,343 votes, and independent candidate Sauya Nanyonga got 6,196 votes. Total valid votes cast were 58,306, and the total number of ballots counted was 59,499.
The drama erupted when Nameere challenged the results in the Masaka Chief Magistrates Court. Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe ordered a controversial recount, which lasted four days and uncovered shocking irregularities, including unsealed boxes, missing ballots, and boxes containing votes for only one candidate.
When the recount ended, the results had flipped completely. Nameere emerged with 25,502 votes, while Nalubowa dropped to 23,176 votes. Nakabuye received 6,136 votes and Nanyonga 5,921 votes. Magistrate Asiimwe declared Nameere the duly elected Woman MP for Masaka City, sparking outrage from Nalubowa and her supporters.
Now the fight has moved to the High Court. Nalubowa insists the recount was flawed and demands the court restore her victory. With top election officials, powerful lawyers, and her rival all dragged into the legal battle, Masaka City braces for a dramatic showdown that could once again shake one of Uganda’s most contested parliamentary races. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
