Kassanda — The Mubende Magistrate’s Court has dismissed an application seeking a recount of votes in the Kassanda North parliamentary election, effectively upholding the victory of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Patrick Nsamba Oshabe.
The application was filed by Isaac Kamulegeya of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who challenged the declared results and claimed that irregularities during the tallying process justified a recount.
In its ruling, the court held that the petitioner failed to present sufficient numerical evidence to warrant a recount. The magistrate noted that while allegations of irregularities and denial of access to electoral materials are serious, they must be supported by clear discrepancies capable of affecting the final outcome.
The court described the application as a “fishing expedition,” emphasising that a recount cannot be ordered in the absence of concrete proof showing errors in the vote tally.
The dismissal confirms Nsamba Oshabe’s victory, in which he defeated Kamulegeya by a narrow margin of 116 votes.
The magistrate further observed that complaints relating to access to election documents and procedural conduct are more appropriately addressed through a substantive election petition rather than a recount application.
Following the ruling, Nsamba welcomed the decision, describing it as fair and transparent. Kamulegeya accepted the outcome and called on his supporters to remain calm and resume their normal activities.
The decision brings to a close the Kassanda North vote recount dispute and reinforces the role of the courts in resolving electoral challenges under Uganda’s legal framework.
