Returning Officer Admits Declaring Bundibugyo Woman MP Winner Before Verifying Results

What the report says

The High Court in Fort Portal has heard an election petition challenging the Bundibugyo District Woman MP result, with petitioner Donna Kamuli Kapalaya and incumbent Josephine Bebona Babungi both closing their cases. According to Nile Post, the key development came from the returning officer’s sworn affidavit, which said Babungi was announced the winner before the tally sheet had been fully verified against the declaration of results forms.

Returning Officer Joseph Tumwijukye said the announcement was made under pressure from candidates, their agents and the Electoral Commission head office, and only later was the tally checked. He maintained that the verification still showed Babungi had the most votes. The paper reported that Babungi was initially declared with 34,169 votes against Kapalaya’s 32,182, but later court references indicated the gap may have narrowed significantly after verification. The article did not say the court has resolved that discrepancy.

Kapalaya, who ran as an independent, is asking the court to overturn the result on allegations including vote manipulation, altered declaration forms and interference with polling agents. Her petition also claims irregularities at more than 79 polling stations. Babungi’s side and the Electoral Commission are relying largely on affidavits rather than extensive live cross-examination.

The case matters because it tests how election results are finalized and whether an announcement made before verification can be corrected or formally recorded afterward. The High Court is scheduled to rule on November 9, 2026, and Babungi remains the declared winner pending that decision.