The battle for the Kalungu West parliamentary seat has taken a dramatic new turn after the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court cleared the way for a full vote recount, putting MP Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu’s narrow victory under fresh scrutiny.
Ssewungu, representing the National Unity Platform (NUP) and incumbent , was declared winner of the January 2026 elections after edging independent contender Ismail Ssemakula by just 46 votes. But celebrations may be short-lived, as the court has now ordered a recount following claims of tallying irregularities.
In a ruling delivered this week, Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe dismissed Ssewungu’s application challenging the court’s jurisdiction over the Kalungu election dispute. The decision officially opens proceedings on Ssemakula’s petition, in which he demands verification of the final vote count.
Shortly after the ruling, the court issued an order directing that all ballots cast in Kalungu West be recounted on Friday 23rd January 2026 , a process that could potentially overturn the declared result in one of the opposition’s key strongholds.
Ssemakula filed the recount application after contesting the credibility of the tallying process, insisting the slim margin of victory warrants fresh verification. The court agreed that the matter deserves full examination.
The Kalungu West showdown now joins a growing list of post-election court battles emerging across the country, as candidates move to challenge results from the 2026 general elections.
All eyes are now on Friday’s recount a day that could redefine Kalungu’s political future.