The Supreme Court has confirmed Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the duly elected President of Uganda following the withdrawal of a petition challenging his victory in the January 15, 2026 general election.
In a unanimous decision delivered in Kampala, a panel of nine justices led by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija granted leave to withdraw Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2026 and a related application seeking a forensic audit of the Electoral Commission electronic systems.
The petition had been filed by former presidential candidate Robert Kasibante, who sought to nullify the election results, citing alleged non-compliance with electoral laws and irregularities in the voting process.
However, before the court could determine the audit application, he sought leave to withdraw both matters, citing financial and logistical constraints.
He told the court that conducting the proposed forensic audit would require specialised independent experts, advanced data analysis equipment and significant time to meet evidentiary standards—resources he said were beyond his reach.
Kasibante further acknowledged that without the anticipated audit evidence, the material already filed would be insufficient to prove the allegations to the required legal standard. He also indicated that efforts to obtain supporting evidence from other presidential candidates had not been successful.
He asked the court to allow the withdrawal and order each party to bear its own costs.
Under the Presidential Elections Act and the Presidential Election Petition Rules, withdrawal of a presidential petition requires leave of court.
The respondents—the Attorney General, the Electoral Commission and President Museveni—did not oppose the withdrawal but sought costs incurred in defending the proceedings.
In its ruling, the court held that while withdrawal of a presidential petition is not automatic and must be justified, declining leave in the circumstances would serve no practical purpose, particularly given the petitioner’s admission that he lacked sufficient evidence.
“By the unanimous decision of the Court, the application for withdrawal is hereby granted. Consequently, Presidential Election Petition No. 01 of 2026 and Presidential Election Application No. 1 of 2026 are hereby discontinued,” the ruling stated.
The court further declared that with the withdrawal of the petition and no other valid legal challenge pending, Museveni’s election stands confirmed in accordance with Section 61(4) of the Presidential Elections Act.
“We hereby declare and confirm that the 1st Respondent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, being the candidate earlier declared by the 2nd Respondent, the Electoral Commission, as the winner of the Presidential Elections, is the duly elected President of Uganda,” the court ruled.
