President Yoweri Museveni has named six witnesses to testify in defence of his victory in the 2026 presidential election, which is currently under challenge before the Supreme Court.
Last month, the Electoral Commission (EC) declared Museveni the winner with 71.65 percent of the vote, while his closest challenger, National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, garnered 24 percent.
The election results have since been contested by Robert Kasibante, one of the presidential candidates.
According to filings before the Supreme Court, Museveni’s witnesses include the NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, the party’s Director of Legal Services Enoch Barata, and four polling agents from Kawempe Mbogo Church of Uganda, Mbogo Primary School Playground, Lubowa car parking area, and Wandegeya Muslim Primary School polling stations.
Kasibante has cited some of these polling stations as illegal in his petition.
Museveni’s legal team, led by Edwin Karugire, indicated that additional witnesses may be presented after reviewing affidavits filed in support of the petition.
The Electoral Commission has also listed several witnesses, including its Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, Secretary Richard Kamugisha, Director of Technical Support Services Solomon Muhumuza, Head of Voter Data Management Ahmed Ochama, the Wakiso District Returning Officer, and several presiding officers. The Commission similarly noted that it may summon more witnesses after examining the petitioner’s affidavits.
The Attorney General, named as the third respondent, has lined up Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi and Police Director of Operations AIGP Frank Mwesigwa to support Museveni’s re-election.
In his petition, Kasibante argues that the 2026 presidential election was characterised by irregularities in vote counting, tallying, and transmission of results. He claims that figures announced at polling stations differed from those transmitted to higher tally centres.
He further accuses the Electoral Commission of failing to properly apply the law governing the use of biometric voter verification machines, alleging that the devices were not used as prescribed. Additional allegations include voter bribery, use of abusive language during the campaign, and partisan involvement of the military.
President Museveni’s lawyers, alongside the Electoral Commission and the Attorney General, have dismissed the allegations.
The petition is being heard by a nine-judge panel of the Supreme Court chaired by Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija. Other members of the panel include Justices Percy Night Tuhaise, Mike Chibita, Elizabeth Musoke, Stephen Musota, Christopher Madrama, Catherine Bamugemereire, Monica Mugenyi, and Muzamiru Mutangula Kibedi.
