The legal battle over the hotly contested Masaka City Woman MP seat has taken a dramatic turn after Rose Nalubowa, a former National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, withdrew her application challenging the controversial vote recount that handed victory to NRM’s Justine Nameere.
Nalubowa pulled out of the High Court proceedings on Wednesday after Acting Judge Simon Peter Kinobe refused to recuse himself from the case, despite claims of his alleged past links to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Appearing before the High Court, Nalubowa had asked Justice Kinobe to step aside, arguing that his previous political associations raised serious concerns about impartiality in a highly sensitive election dispute.
However, the judge dismissed the request, stating that past political affiliations do not automatically undermine judicial independence or his ability to fairly administer justice.
Following the ruling, Nalubowa formally withdrew the civil revision application, indicating that she would instead pursue the matter through a post-election petition.
The court has ordered that each party bears its own legal costs, effectively closing the High Court chapter of the dispute. Reacting to the development, Justine Nameere described the case as “a waste of time,” insisting that the recount outcome was lawful.
The legal showdown traces back to a decision by the Masaka Chief Magistrate, who ordered a vote recount after Nalubowa had initially been declared winner on the NUP ticket.
The recount, however, overturned Nalubowa’s victory and declared Nameere the winner—sparking protests, legal challenges, and sharp political exchanges.
Nalubowa rushed to the High Court, accusing electoral officials of procedural irregularities and violations of electoral laws, but her challenge stalled after the judge declined to step aside.
The latest twist has reignited public debate over judicial neutrality in Uganda’s election-related cases, especially where judges are perceived to have political histories.
Critics argue that such cases continue to undermine public confidence in the judiciary, fueling calls for reforms under campaigns like #BangTheTable, which demand stronger safeguards to guarantee impartial handling of electoral disputes.
With the High Court option now closed, all eyes turn to Nalubowa’s planned post-election petition, as the Masaka City Woman MP race shapes up to be one of the most closely watched political and legal battles of the 2026 elections.