At least 20 election petitions have been assigned to four judges. Seventeen of the cases were considered during scheduling conferences on Monday as the court began preparing them for full hearings.
During the proceedings, judges and lawyers examined the documents filed by the different parties, including petitions, affidavits and other evidence. They also discussed preliminary objections that could affect whether some cases proceed to full hearings.
In one case, Francis Lubega challenged the election of Ali Mulyanyama as the Member of Parliament for Makindye West. Lawyer Alex Luganda, representing the respondents, argued that the petition had been filed after the required legal deadline.
Luganda also said some of the complaints raised in the petition should have been handled by the Electoral Commission.
Justice Allan Nshiimye encouraged the parties to consider mediation instead of prolonging the dispute through lengthy court proceedings.
He reminded the parties that election petitions are civil cases and warned that unsuccessful parties could be ordered to pay legal costs.
“The law allows for mediation, this is not a war, go outside and talk and settle amicably,” Nshiimye said.
The judge also explained that cross-examination of witnesses would only take place if the court allowed it and would be restricted to relevant issues.
Another case before the court involves Ivan Bwowe, who is challenging the election of opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi as the MP for Nakawa West.
The parties informed the court that they had completed their pleadings and that they did not expect witnesses to be cross-examined because the main facts were not disputed. The case is therefore expected to focus mainly on legal questions.
The Electoral Commission raised six preliminary objections, including whether the petition had a valid cause of action, whether Bwowe had the legal standing to file the case and whether the correct parties had been sued.
The court also heard a petition filed by Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro against Nakawa East MP Frederick Ruhindi. Among the issues raised was the admissibility of documentary evidence.
The court was informed that Mufumbiro, who is being held at Luzira Prison, had not been brought to court despite a production warrant.
Another petition raised concerns about election materials, including Declaration of Results forms from polling areas. The petitioner asked the court to order the Electoral Commission to provide the documents.
More scheduling sessions are expected on Wednesday and Thursday before the court begins hearing the substantive issues in the election petitions.
One of the high-profile cases involves National Unity Platform Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya, who is challenging the election of Minsa Kabanda as Kampala Central MP.
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