The High Court in Uganda has thrown out a legal challenge seeking to annul the election of Christopher Komakech as Member of Parliament for Aruu County, handing a decisive legal victory to the incumbent and closing a contentious chapter in one of the country's closest constituency races.
Justice Fatuma Nanziri Bwanika dismissed the petition filed by former lawmaker Odonga Otto in a ruling delivered on November 5, 2026. The judge concluded that the petitioner had not presented sufficient evidence to show that any irregularities in the electoral process were substantial enough to alter the final result.
A Margin of Just 26 Votes
The ruling brings an end to a dispute that hinged on an extraordinarily slim margin. Official tallies placed Komakech at 10,455 votes, while Otto secured 10,429, leaving a difference of only 26 ballots. A further 407 votes were declared invalid during the count.
Otto had argued that the election should be overturned on grounds of non-compliance with electoral regulations, and he also pressed for a recount of the ballots. Both lines of argument failed to persuade the court.
Returning Officer Cleared of Wrongdoing
On the question of the recount, Justice Bwanika found no fault with the returning officer. She ruled that the decision not to conduct a recount after a winner had already been declared did not amount to a violation of Section 73 of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The judgment effectively clears the electoral officials involved of claims that they acted improperly in the handling of the results.
Judge Flags Voter Education Gap
While the court declined to overturn the outcome, Justice Bwanika did raise concerns about the number of rejected ballots. She noted that the high volume of invalid votes underscored the need for stronger civic education and greater voter sensitisation in the constituency.
The observation points to a broader challenge for electoral authorities, who have faced repeated calls to help citizens cast valid ballots, particularly in rural areas where spoilt papers can affect tight contests.
For Komakech, the ruling confirms his place in Parliament and removes the cloud of uncertainty that had hung over his narrow win. For Otto, a former legislator seeking a return to the House, the decision marks the end of the legal road in this particular battle.
The case is one of several election petitions that have tested the courts' willingness to overturn results on the basis of procedural complaints, with judges increasingly insisting on clear proof that irregularities actually changed the outcome.
