The Ugandan Judiciary has issued an official circular directing all courts to transfer election petition files to the Office of the Principal Judge, in a sweeping move to centralise handling of post-election disputes following the January 15 general elections.
The directive, dated 20 January 2026, instructs judicial officers across the country to forward every election-related case to the Principal Judge’s registry for coordinated management and assignment.
The new procedure comes in the wake of President Yoweri Museveni’s declared victory, where he secured about 72% of the national vote in a highly contested election.
Opposition groups have since raised claims of voting irregularities, voter intimidation, and misuse of state resources.
The circular has sparked sharp public reaction, with critics questioning its intent and legality. Some citizens argue the move could open doors to manipulation or corruption in the handling of election disputes, while others compare it to prosecutorial-style centralisation, warning it may undermine judicial independence.
As election-related cases begin to flow to the Principal Judge’s office, all eyes are on the Judiciary to prove that justice will not only be done but seen to be done.
