ARINGA ELECTION PETITION: COURT SETS OCTOBER 8 FOR RULING

Tairi Asirafu (Petitioner) in the Parliamentary election Petition 004/2026 speak shortly after the court proceedings. Photo//Dramadri Federick

By Dramadri Federick

Arua City

The High Court sitting in Arua City has set October 8, 2026, as the date for delivering its ruling in the petition challenging the 2026 Aringa Constituency parliamentary election.

The date was set after the court concluded the cross-examination of witnesses and directed both parties to file written submissions.

The petition was filed by Tairi Asirafu, who is challenging the election of incumbent Member of Parliament Ezama Siraji Brahan. The Electoral Commission is also a respondent in the case.

Asirafu contends that irregularities during the electoral process affected the outcome and has asked the court to examine the circumstances surrounding the declaration of results.

During the proceedings, the petitioner presented nine witnesses. Their evidence included allegations of voter intimidation, violence and irregularities at polling stations in Bijo Sub-county and Yumbe Town Council.

The petitioner also referred to the death of his supporter, Dramani Majid, during the campaign period, as well as alleged assaults involving other individuals.

However, the allegations remain subject to determination by the court.

During cross-examination on Monday, September 21, before High Court Judge Lady Justice Celia Nagawa, the first respondent, Ezama Siraji Brahan, acknowledged receiving complaints concerning alleged intimidation, poster defacement and the appointment of his brother as a returning officer in Bijo Sub-county.

He told the court that investigating such complaints was the responsibility of the Electoral Commission and Uganda Police.

The court also heard evidence concerning the death of Dramani Majid and the arrest of a suspect in connection with the incident whose details remain part of the court proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission represented by Obete Benson the Yumbe district Returning Officer, Yassin Surabu the Returning Officer for Bijo Sub county and Atima James Daudi Andibo the returning officer for Yumbe Town council appearing as the second respondent were questioned about complaints concerning alleged electoral offences in which they denied investigating any matter since it was criminal in nature even when they got complaint from the petitioner

Counsel Ahmed Kassim (lead counsel of the First Respondent) briefs journalists on the proceedings. Photo//Dramadri Federick

Speaking after the proceedings, counsel for the first respondent, Ahmed Kassim, said the court had handled the matter expeditiously and that the issue of costs would be determined by the court.

“Bijo sub county is where petitioner alleged that there was voter intimidation that preventing the voters from exercising their right to vote but we presented all the witnesses including the electoral commission, we pray that the losing party is awarded costs that can be able to cover costs incurred throughout the court processes”. Kassim states

On his part, the petitioner, Tairi Asirafu, expressed confidence in case and said the he was seeking the nullification of the election results.

“We are praying to the court that this petition results to nullification of election results and we go for a bye election of which I am very sure that when we go for this bye election in a very controlled environment, we are wining because we have the support on ground”. Asirafu explains

Following submissions from both sides, the court granted each party two days to file written submissions, beginning September 22 and set the ruling for October 8, 2026.

According to the Electoral Commission’s declared results, Ezama Siraji Brahan obtained 6,541 votes, while Tairi Asirafu polled 5,684 votes in the Aringa Constituency parliamentary election held on January 15, 2026.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis