Ebullient Namyalo Hails Museveni’s Legal Response As President Files Defence Against Kasibante Petition

By Frank Kamuntu 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, through his legal team, has formally responded to the presidential election petition filed by former candidate Robert Kasibante, asking the Supreme Court to dismiss the case with costs and reaffirming the legitimacy of his re-election victory.

The response was physically filed at the Supreme Court by lawyers Anthony Bazira and Usaama Sebuufu on behalf of the President, who was recently re-elected to a seventh term with a commanding majority in the January 15, 2026 general elections.

According to official results announced by the Electoral Commission on January 17, President Museveni secured 7,946,772 votes—representing 71.65 percent of the total ballots cast. The outcome marked an improvement from his previous electoral performance and underscored the continued dominance of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Uganda’s political landscape.

The election attracted eight presidential contenders. Robert Kasibante, who represented the Peasants Party, finished sixth with 33,440 votes and subsequently filed a petition on January 17 under Article 104 of the Constitution and Section 61 of the Presidential Elections Act. His petition, running over 1,000 pages, names President Museveni, the Electoral Commission, and the Attorney General as respondents.

Kasibante’s petition challenges both the conduct of the election and the declaration of Museveni as winner, alleging procedural irregularities including the use of allegedly ungazetted polling stations and concerns surrounding the deployment of Biometric Voter Verification machines.

In his response, President Museveni categorically denies all allegations, maintaining that the election was conducted in full compliance with the Constitution and electoral laws. His legal team argues that the claims lack merit and should be dismissed in their entirety.

The Electoral Commission, chaired by Justice Simon Byabakama, has previously described the election as “successful and generally peaceful.” While acknowledging technical challenges with biometric verification equipment in some areas, the Commission stated that contingency measures—such as manual voter verification—were lawfully applied to ensure voters exercised their constitutional right without compromising the integrity of the process.

Voter turnout in the election stood at 52 percent, with President Museveni registering strong support across multiple regions. Other notable contenders included Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform, who came second, Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change, and Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation.

Addressing the nation after the results, President Museveni said the outcome demonstrated “the strength” of the NRM and the mandate entrusted to him by Ugandans. Supporters have credited his long leadership since 1986 with restoring stability and steering Uganda toward sustained economic development.

Commenting on the legal response, the Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, praised the President’s decision to face the petition head-on, describing it as a demonstration of democratic maturity and respect for the rule of law.

“This is a true mark of a courageous and visionary leader,” Namyalo said. “Instead of intimidation or conflict, His Excellency has chosen the path of law and justice, showing the world that Uganda is a democratic state where institutions work. He is ready to answer every claim with evidence from the ground, because he was genuinely elected by Ugandans.”

She added that the ONC and party structures remain prepared to support the President’s legal team with facts and documentation, expressing confidence that justice would prevail for the benefit of all Ugandans.

The Supreme Court is yet to issue directions on the hearing timetable for the petition. Under Uganda’s Constitution, presidential election petitions are handled within strict timelines, and the court is expected to communicate the procedural schedule in due course.

President Museveni’s legal team has reiterated its confidence that the petition will be dismissed on its merits, affirming the credibility of the electoral process and the clear mandate delivered by voters across the country.