Lawyers representing parties in the Ibanda Municipality parliamentary election petition have asked the Principal Judge to transfer the proceedings from Mbarara to Kampala, citing convenience and competing professional commitments in the capital.
The petition was filed by former Ibanda Municipality MP Innocent Mwine Bakamuhara, who is challenging the election of Peter Agaba, the declared winner of the January 2026 parliamentary polls.
According to the official results, Agaba secured 14,279 votes against Bakamuhara’s 12,904. However, Bakamuhara contends that Agaba was not validly elected, alleging vote manipulation and several electoral malpractices and illegal practices.
The request to relocate the proceedings was raised after lawyers had completed the cross-examination of 10 witnesses presented by Bakamuhara through his lawyer, Robert Kirunda.
Agaba’s legal team proposed that the remaining two witnesses also be cross-examined in Kampala. Kirunda told the court that lawyers representing both parties had consulted their clients and reached an understanding that Kampala would be a more convenient venue because they have other cases to handle in the capital.
Presiding judge Isaac Bonny Teko advised the parties to submit a joint scheduling memorandum to the Principal Judge through the trial judge at the Mbarara High Court circuit, formally setting out their request to change the venue.
Justice Teko said the memorandum should bear the signatures of lawyers representing both parties and clearly explain the reasons for seeking the transfer.
He noted that the hearing had already progressed considerably and reminded counsel that he was conducting the proceedings as a mobile court, making it necessary to notify the Principal Judge of the proposed change.
The judge further emphasised that the document must be jointly prepared and signed by both legal teams to avoid procedural complications.
Justice Teko adjourned the matter to November 2, 2026, subject to the Principal Judge approving the request to move the hearing to Kampala. If the application is rejected, proceedings will resume in Mbarara on October 29, 2026.
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