Mpigi High Court: Godfrey Ssaazi Gomba East Election Nullified

• The High Court in Mpigi nullified the election of Godfrey Ssaazi as Gomba East MP.
• Godfrey Ssaazi, a National Unity Platform member, was removed from his parliamentary seat.
• The court found that the destruction of electoral materials at nine polling stations substantially affected the election outcome.
• Justice Jamson Karemani delivered the judgment by email on Monday, ordering a fresh poll.
• The parliamentary election for Gomba East took place on January 15, 2026.

Lawyers advising on election petitions in Uganda should note the High Court's emphasis on the substantial effect of electoral material destruction as grounds for nullification, providing a precedent for future challenges regarding electoral integrity.

The High Court in Mpigi has issued a significant ruling, nullifying the parliamentary election of Godfrey Ssaazi, a representative of the National Unity Platform (NUP), for the Gomba East constituency. This decision effectively removes Mr. Ssaazi from his position as Member of Parliament, necessitating a fresh electoral process for the seat.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Jamson Karemani via email on a recent Monday, found that irregularities during the January 15, 2026, parliamentary election were substantial enough to invalidate the outcome. Specifically, the court pinpointed the destruction of crucial electoral materials across nine distinct polling stations within the Gomba East constituency as the primary reason for its determination.

This destruction of materials was deemed to have had a profound and material impact on the overall results of the election. Consequently, the court has mandated that a new poll be conducted to determine the rightful representative for Gomba East, ensuring the integrity of the democratic process in the area.

The High Court's decision in the Mpigi election petition against Godfrey Ssaazi hinged on a critical finding: the destruction of electoral materials was not merely an isolated incident but had a 'substantial effect' on the election's outcome. This legal threshold is paramount in election petitions, requiring petitioners to demonstrate that alleged irregularities were significant enough to alter the final results, rather than being minor procedural errors.

Justice Jamson Karemani's ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding the fairness and transparency of electoral processes. The specific identification of nine polling stations where materials were compromised highlights the court's detailed assessment of the evidence presented. This emphasis on the tangible impact of electoral malpractices sets a clear precedent for future challenges to election results in Uganda.

Lawyers advising on election petitions in Uganda should note the High Court's emphasis on the substantial effect of electoral material destruction as grounds for nullification, providing a precedent for future challenges regarding electoral integrity. The court's stance reinforces that the integrity of the voting process, from casting ballots to their accurate tallying, is non-negotiable and any significant compromise can lead to the annulment of an election.

The nullification of the Gomba East election and the subsequent order for a fresh poll carries significant implications for electoral integrity and the conduct of future elections in Uganda. This ruling serves as a stern reminder to all stakeholders, including candidates, political parties, and electoral officials, about the serious consequences of actions that undermine the democratic process.

The judgment by the Mpigi High Court, specifically concerning the National Unity Platform's Godfrey Ssaazi, reinforces the principle that electoral outcomes must genuinely reflect the will of the voters, free from undue influence or sabotage. The focus on the destruction of electoral materials as a substantial factor for nullification highlights a particular vulnerability in the electoral chain that requires robust protection.

This development is likely to encourage greater scrutiny of electoral procedures and security measures at polling stations across the country. It also empowers individuals and political entities to pursue legal recourse when they believe electoral malpractices have fundamentally compromised the fairness of an election, knowing that courts are prepared to act decisively when such substantial effects are proven.

Lawyers advising on election petitions in Uganda should note the High Court's emphasis on the substantial effect of electoral material destruction as grounds for nullification, providing a precedent for future challenges regarding electoral integrity.

Source: Original reporting via The Observer Media Ltd.