MASAKA — Lawyer and former parliamentary candidate Jet John Tumwebaze Ndamagi has asked the High Court in Masaka to allow him to personally represent himself in an election petition challenging the victory of Godfrey Aine Kaguta, popularly known as Sodo, in the Mawogola North parliamentary election.
Tumwebaze, who is a lawyer with Kampala Associated Advocates, appeared before Justice Thomas Ocaaya dressed in lawyers’ attire and took a seat at the bar as he sought to conduct his own case.
He told court that the 2026 election was marred by several alleged irregularities involving civilians and security personnel, which he said affected the conduct and outcome of the poll.
Tumwebaze alleged that some of his supporters were assaulted while others were arrested on what he described as unclear charges during the election period.
He argued that the incidents undermined the fairness of the election and asked court to scrutinise the circumstances under which Aine was declared the winner.
Tumwebaze also challenged Aine’s eligibility to serve as a Member of Parliament, alleging that he did not possess the academic documents required to qualify for the position.
The petitioner further raised an objection against the participation of lawyer Paul Kutesa of Acadia & Company Advocates in the case.
Tumwebaze alleged that Kutesa had previously represented him before taking up representation of Aine, arguing that the change of representation created a conflict of interest.
Despite appearing in court with 11 lawyers from his firm, Tumwebaze maintained that he wanted to personally conduct the petition.
He challenged those opposing his request to identify a specific law prohibiting a petitioner who is also a qualified lawyer from representing himself in an election petition.
Aine’s lawyer, Geoffrey Kandeebe, however, objected to the request.
Kandeebe argued that it was improper for Tumwebaze to sit at the bar in his capacity as both petitioner and advocate and said he should instead choose lawyers from his firm to represent him.
Justice Ocaaya then asked the lawyers to point to any provision of the law that expressly prevents Tumwebaze from appearing in person and conducting his own petition.
However, no such provision was presented to court at that stage.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to September 23, when he is expected to deliver a ruling on the issues raised, including Tumwebaze’s request to represent himself and the objection concerning Kutesa’s participation.
Tumwebaze contested the Mawogola North parliamentary seat in the 2026 General Election as an independent candidate but lost to Aine, who stood on the National Resistance Movement ticket.
According to the election results presented, Aine polled 15,923 votes, while Tumwebaze obtained 6,955 votes.
The other candidates included Angella Kigonya Namyalo of the Democratic Party, who received 274 votes; Idi Semata of the National Unity Platform, 294 votes; Francis Kigongo Masanga of the Forum for Democratic Change, 112 votes; Moses Lyazi of the People’s Freedom Front, 74 votes; and independent candidate John Twiine, 42 votes.
The petition now awaits Justice Ocaaya’s ruling on the preliminary issues before the substantive challenge to the election can proceed.
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