By Peter Luzinda
Kampala — Uganda’s High Court has announced it will deliver its judgment electronically in the contentious nomination dispute involving the Nakawa Division West parliamentary seat, as lawyers and political aspirants await a decision that could shape the final list of candidates ahead of the January 15, 2026 general election.
The case, filed by lawyer and aspirant Ivan Bwowe, challenges the nomination of multiple candidates, arguing that his rivals were wrongly nominated under what he contends was not the correct constituency designation. Bwowe is seeking a declaration that the nominations of eight contenders are invalid — potentially reshaping the ballot in one of Kampala’s high‑profile races.
Bwowe’s petition names Joel Ssenyonyi, Happy Nasasira, Herbert Anderson Burora, Felix Okuye, Vincent Okumu, Wilberforce Kyambadde and Apuuli Rwamiti as respondents. He is asking the High Court to declare their nominations illegal and to confirm his position as the only validly nominated candidate under the Parliamentary Elections Act.
On Wednesday, lawyers representing both sides appeared before Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko. Instead of hearing additional arguments or evidence, lawyers were informed that the judges have chosen to circulate the ruling electronically rather than deliver it orally in open court. Several defence lawyers expressed surprise, noting they had expected further submissions during the hearing.
Legal analysts say the decision to issue the judgment electronically reflects procedural adaptations within Uganda’s judiciary, which has increasingly integrated digital communication channels for case management and delivery. However, the unusual method has heightened anticipation among political observers and stakeholders.
The dispute stems from an earlier decision by the Electoral Commission to dismiss Bwowe’s objection to the nominations. The commission maintained that any discrepancies in constituency naming were resolved before the official campaign timetable was harmonised. According to the commission’s records, all nominated candidates had submitted and signed control forms under the correct designation for Nakawa Division West.Observers say the court’s forthcoming judgment could have far‑reaching implications for candidates and campaign strategies, especially in a competitive urban constituency such as Nakawa Division West. With just weeks remaining before polling day, any changes to the nominations list could affect voter choices and political alignments.
The Nakawa nomination challenge is part of a broader trend this election cycle, as numerous parliamentary aspirants have turned to the judiciary to resolve disputes over documentation, nomination procedures and administrative decisions by electoral authorities.