Independent candidate Kanyesigye Mercy has officially retained her victory as National Female Youth Member of Parliament–elect after the Hoima Chief Magistrate’s Court called off the vote recount exercise.
On Tuesday, Hoima Chief Magistrate George Kunihira halted the recount after a thorough verification of the ballot box revealed clear signs of tampering. The court ruled that the integrity of the ballot box had been compromised, making it impossible to proceed with a credible recount.
The disputed election was held on February 6, 2026, at Hoima City Stadium, where Kanyesigye narrowly defeated National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Dianah Ampaire by a margin of 216 votes.
Ampaire had petitioned the court challenging the results, alleging miscounting of ballots and irregularities during tallying. However, the latest court findings effectively dismiss the recount bid, cementing Kanyesigye Mercy’s win.
With the recount exercise called off, the court’s decision clears the way for Kanyesigye to maintain her position as the duly elected National Female Youth MP, bringing the closely watched contest to a decisive close.
