High Court sets date to rule on Dr. Ssemugenyi’s Shs1.5 billion lawsuit against Electoral Commission
Dr. Ssemugenyi initiated judicial review proceedings against the EC after he was not nominated as a presidential candidate, despite his claims of having fulfilled all legal requirements.
The High Court in Kampala is set to deliver a crucial ruling next Thursday, December 4, 2025, in a high-stakes case where presidential aspirant Dr. Dennis Daniel Ssemugenyi is demanding a staggering UGX 1.5 billion in compensation from the Electoral Commission (EC) for alleged unlawful exclusion from the 2026 general elections.
Dr. Ssemugenyi initiated judicial review proceedings against the EC after he was not nominated as a presidential candidate, despite his claims of having fulfilled all legal requirements. His legal challenge also cites the EC’s persistent failure to hear and determine a formal petition he lodged in September 2025, seeking redress over his non-nomination.
In his application, filed with the High Court Civil Division, Dr. Ssemugenyi contends that the Electoral Commission’s “persistent failure, neglect, and/or refusal” to hear his petition is “illegal, irrational, procedurally improper, and in contravention of Articles 28, 42, and 44 of the Constitution,” thereby violating his fundamental right to a fair hearing.
Among the orders sought, Dr. Ssemugenyi, through his legal team Ahamark Advocates, is requesting a writ of Mandamus to compel the EC to either expeditiously hear his petition or, in the alternative, to take all necessary administrative steps to effect his nomination and inclusion on the official list of presidential candidates for the 2026 polls.
Beyond seeking his inclusion on the ballot, Dr. Ssemugenyi is pursuing substantial financial redress. He is demanding UGX 1,000,000,000 (One Billion Shillings) for “breach of legitimate expectations and for the inconvenience occasioned by the Respondent’s inaction.” Additionally, he seeks UGX 500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Shillings) as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages, bringing his total compensation claim to UGX 1.5 billion. He also requests compensation for costs incurred in collecting over 110 district supporters’ signatures.
According to his affidavit, Dr. Ssemugenyi asserts that he duly picked, completed, and submitted all presidential nomination forms and requirements. He specifically states that he submitted verified signatures from over 110 districts, with 99 confirmed as duly received and authentic by the EC. However, he alleges that only four were processed, while the remaining ninety-five were “set aside” as nominations closed, leading to his dismay and subsequent legal action.
The petition he lodged with the EC on September 25, 2025, which he says went unheard, highlighted concerns that his “unlawful exclusion undermines democracy, tramples the will of my supporters, and threatens national peace and security.” He also cited constitutional articles on the sovereignty of the people, the right to participate in politics, and protection from unfair discrimination.
The High Court’s ruling next Thursday will be keenly watched, not only by political stakeholders and legal observers but also by the wider Ugandan public, as it could set a significant precedent regarding the nomination process and the accountability of electoral bodies in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections.
