Uganda: Election disputes land in Kisoro court as MP candidates demand recount

Two parliamentary candidates from Kisoro District on Thursday filed applications at the Kisoro Chief Magistrate's Court seeking a recount c votes cast in the January 15, 2026, General Election, citing alleged irregularities in the counting and tallying process.

The applicants are Sam K Bitangaro, an independent candidate for Bufumbira South, and John Nizeyimana Kamara, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Bufumbira North.

The two candidates, represented separately by Nabasa Rodgers of Arekaho Partners & Co. Advocates and A. Marvin & Co. Advocates, filed formal applications under Section 74 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which empowers the Chief Magistrate to order a recount where a candidate raises a reasonable doubt about declared results.

Addressing journalists after filing the applications, lawyer Rodgers Nabasa said the candidates were seeking a recount to ensure accuracy and fairness, citing discrepancies identified during an analysis of Declaration of Results (DR) forms.

"Having analysed the DR forms, we realised that the counting was not properly done and we can only be satisfied if these votes are recounted," Nabasa said.

He added that Section 74 gives the Chief Magistrate discretion to grant or deny a recount based on the evidence presented.

"Under Section 74 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, where a candidate is in doubt, they can apply formally to the Chief Magistrate of the jurisdiction, who will then hear the application and determine whether the recount should be done or not, depending on the evidence adduced," he said.

Nabasa said his clients had submitted sufficient grounds, including alleged ballot stuffing, and expressed optimism that the court would grant the recount.

Strict timelines under the law

He noted that the law requires any candidate seeking a recount to file an application within seven days of the official declaration of results, after which the Chief Magistrate must determine the application within four days.

According to results declared by Kisoro District Returning Officer Daniel Nayebare, the outcomes were as follows:

In Bufumbira South, NRM candidate Eng Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda won with 23,897 votes, defeating Sam K. Bitangaro, who polled 22,913 votes, and ANT's Adam Munyambabazi, who received 87 votes.

In Bufumbira North, NRM's Fortunate Habyara Gatare narrowly defeated incumbent John Nizeyimana Kamara, securing 8,374 votes against Kamara's 8,289 votes, while DP's Daniel Ngirabakunzi polled 63 votes.

The razor-thin margin of 85 votes in Bufumbira North, combined with the relatively narrow gap in Bufumbira South, has intensified demands for a recount amid claims of improper vote tallying.

Court ruling awaited

The Kisoro Chief Magistrate's Court is expected to rule in the coming days on whether the recounts will be granted.

The applications come amid heightened national scrutiny of the 2026 elections, which have seen multiple legal challenges over alleged electoral irregularities, including ballot stuffing, delayed tallying and biometric voter verification failures.