The High Court has dismissed a petition by State Minister for Water and Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar challenging Denis Onekalit Amere’s election as Member of Parliament for Kitgum Municipality.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, November 9, 2026, Justice Amos Kwizera ruled that Anywar had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the electoral offences and irregularities she cited in her petition.
The court dismissed the case with costs, allowing Amere, who contested on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, to retain his parliamentary seat.
Amere won the January 15 election with 6,176 votes against Anywar’s 5,013. Anywar contested on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket.
The minister had asked the court to nullify the results, alleging that the election was characterised by voter bribery, intimidation, violence and harassment of her polling agents and supporters.
She also accused Amere’s agents and election officials of colluding to influence the outcome.
Another major complaint was the alleged failure to use biometric voter verification kits during polling. Anywar argued that this created opportunities for multiple voting, ballot stuffing and participation by unauthorised voters.
She also accused the Electoral Commission and Kitgum District Returning Officer Betty Atim Owot of negligence, incompetence and bad faith in the conduct of the election.
However, Justice Kwizera found that the allegations had not been substantiated to the required legal standard.
The judge specifically ruled that Anywar had failed to establish that the alleged violence and intimidation constituted electoral offences attributable to Amere under Section 80(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
“No single electoral offence or malpractice as alleged by the petitioner has been proved to the required standard,” Justice Kwizera stated.
The case had encountered several procedural challenges before the judgment. In September, the court rejected Anywar’s application seeking access to the voters’ register for inspection.
The planned cross-examination of witnesses was also abandoned after three of her lawyers were involved in a road accident while travelling to Kitgum. The proceedings subsequently relied largely on affidavits and written submissions.
Anywar previously represented the area twice on the FDC ticket before crossing to the ruling NRM party. She has served as State Minister for Environment since 2019.
Amere was represented by Asuman Basalirwa & Company Advocates and Barirere & Company Advocates. Anywar’s legal team comprised Cumberland Advocates and Bashasha & Company Advocates, while the Electoral Commission and the returning officer were represented by ALP Advocates.
The judgment was electronically transmitted to the parties’ lawyers in accordance with the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2025.
The ruling preserves Amere’s victory and leaves Anywar with the option of considering the available legal avenues following the dismissal of her petition.
