High Court to deliver Nakawa West nomination ruling electronically

Uganda’s High Court has announced that 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 was filed by lawyer and parliamentary aspirant Ivan Bwowe, who is challenging the nomination of several candidates, arguing that they were wrongly nominated under an incorrect constituency designation.

Bwowe is seeking a declaration nullifying the nominations of eight contenders, a move that could significantly alter the ballot in one of Kampala’s most closely watched races.

Bwowe’s petition lists Joel Ssenyonyi, Happy Nasasira, Herbert Anderson Burora, Felix Okuye, Vincent Okumu, Wilberforce Kyambadde, and Apuuli Rwamiti as respondents. He is asking court to declare their nominations illegal and to confirm him as the only validly nominated candidate under the Parliamentary Elections Act.

On Wednesday, lawyers from both sides appeared before Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko. However, instead of proceeding with further submissions, they were informed that the court had opted to circulate its ruling electronically rather than deliver it orally in open court. Several defence lawyers expressed surprise, saying they had anticipated additional arguments.

Legal analysts note that the move reflects the judiciary’s growing reliance on digital platforms for case management and judgment delivery. Nevertheless, the decision has heightened anticipation among political actors and election observers.

The dispute arises from an earlier decision by the Electoral Commission, which dismissed Bwowe’s objection. The commission maintained that any discrepancies relating to constituency naming were resolved before the harmonisation of the official campaign timetable.

According to the commission, all nominated candidates submitted and signed their control forms under the correct designation for Nakawa Division West.

Observers say the forthcoming judgment could have far-reaching implications, particularly given the competitiveness of the Nakawa West race. With only weeks remaining before polling day, any changes to the list of nominated candidates could influence campaign strategies, voter choices, and political alignments.

The Nakawa West petition is part of a wider trend in the current election cycle, which has seen an increase in court challenges by parliamentary aspirants over nomination procedures, documentation, and administrative decisions by electoral authorities.