By Sharon Basilika
National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Jacqueline Birungi Kobusingye has withdrawn her election petition challenging the election of Harriet Nakwedde as Kayunga District Woman Member of Parliament.
Birungi withdrew the petition on Wednesday before the High Court in Mukono, presided over by Justice Godfrey Himbaza, bringing to an end her challenge to the results of the January 15, 2026 election.
The dispute had gone through several stages, beginning with an application for a vote recount before the Kayunga Chief Magistrate’s Court.
After the recount application was dismissed, Birungi sought a revision of the decision before the High Court in Mukono. That application was later withdrawn before she filed an election petition challenging Nakwedde’s victory.
Nakwedde’s lawyers, led by Andrew Wabwezi, filed a defence and raised preliminary legal objections to the petition.
Birungi’s lawyer, Isaac Nambijja, told court that his client was unable to continue with the case following the death of her father, Moses Karangwa, and needed to concentrate on family responsibilities. Karangwa died in a road crash in May.
Justice Himbaza allowed Birungi to withdraw the petition.
Nakwedde did not oppose the withdrawal and said she would not seek costs from Birungi. The Electoral Commission, however, sought costs, with the court expected to determine the matter separately.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Nakwedde said the legal battle had taken considerable time and resources and welcomed its conclusion.
She thanked her supporters for standing with her throughout the court process and pledged to focus on serving the people of Kayunga.
According to results from the January 15 election, Nakwedde, who contested on the National Unity Platform ticket, polled 20,753 votes.
Former Kayunga Woman MP Aidah Nantaba, who contested as an Independent, came second with 16,138 votes, while Birungi finished third with 15,790 votes.
The withdrawal ends Birungi’s challenge to Nakwedde’s election as Kayunga District Woman Member of Parliament.
