MARACHA COUNTY ELECTION PETITION RULING RESCHEDULED FOR MONDAY

The high court of Arua. Photo//Erema

By Erema George

Arua City

The pre-trial hearing of the Maracha County election petition filed against Hon. Nelson Ohuru by Hon. Oguzu Lee Denis at the Arua High Court has rescheduled the court hearing session on Monday 21^st September 2026 in the ongoing election petition hearing arising from the 2026 January parliamentary and local council elections.

During the 1^st pre-trial of the petition on Wednesday 16^th at Arua high court, presided over by Lady Justice Celia Nagawa, the petitioner’s counsel team reportedly had numerous affidavits against the respondent with up to over 31 by the time of the trial.

The respondent’s counsel team claimed to have been served more of the affidavit 15 minutes to the court commencement time raising concern over the right procedure of serving affidavits.

Counsel Gerald Adomati noted that the bombardment could abuse the court process sighting section 133 of the evidence act of Uganda which provides the single witness rule, dictating that no particular number of witnesses shall in any case be required for the proof of any fact as a defense.

This prompted lady justice Celia to notify the counsel of the petitioner, Counsel Robert Okot and Rugamba Blaise to do proper housekeeping thereby allowing room for issue framing.

Left to right-Hon. Oguzu Denis Lee, the former Member of Parliament for Maracha who petitioned the NRM winner Hon. Ohuru Nelson, the Current MP in the 12^th Parliament representing Maracha County ( in coat). Courtesy Photos.

The two parties therefore agreed on three major issue as;

1. Whether the respondent committed any illegal practices or electoral offences personally, or through his agents with his knowledge, consent or approval during the elections.
2. Whether the 1^st respondent’s 13 affidavits in support of his answer to his petition are competently before court in so far as they introduce an election offense against election petition and,
3. Whether the parties are entitled to the remedies sought.

Lady justice Celia thereafter urged the two parties to submit all their documents needed for the court ruling by Friday 18^th latest 4:45 pm as she adjourned the pre-trial to Monday 21^st September,2026 at 9:00 am for its last hearing and ruling expected to conclude on Tuesday.

This shall involve cross examination of the first respondent hon. Ohuru Nelson, his father Mr. Embatia Saverino and Mr. Munduga Kennedy, a returning Officer.

The Judiciary of Uganda commenced the hearing of 346 parliamentary and local council election petitions nationwide on September 14, 2026, following the January 2026 general elections with 100 judicial officers assigned (48 High Court judges and 52 Chief Magistrates).

Principal Judge Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo instructed courts to prioritize these disputes and hear them on consecutive days where possible.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis