KITGUM — State Minister for Water and Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar has lost her court challenge against the election of Denis Onekalit Amere as Kitgum Municipality Member of Parliament, after the High Court dismissed her petition with costs.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, November 9, 2026, Justice Amos Kwizera ruled that Anywar had failed to prove allegations of electoral malpractice against Amere and election officials.
Amere, who contested on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, was declared winner of the January 15, 2026 parliamentary election with 6,176 votes. Anywar, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, came second with 5,013 votes.
Unhappy with the outcome, Anywar petitioned the court, accusing Amere, the Electoral Commission and Kitgum District Returning Officer Betty Atim Owot of irregularities that she argued affected the credibility of the election.
She alleged voter bribery, intimidation, violence, harassment of her polling agents and collusion between election officials and Amere’s agents.
Anywar also challenged the non-use of biometric voter verification kits, arguing that it allowed multiple voting, ballot stuffing and voting by unauthorised persons. She further accused the Electoral Commission and returning officer of negligence, incompetence and bad faith.
But the court found that the allegations were not supported by sufficient evidence to overturn the election.
Justice Kwizera said Anywar had failed to establish that the alleged violence and intimidation were 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,” the judge stated.
The dismissal brings an end to Anywar’s challenge at the High Court and leaves Amere’s election intact.
The case had faced several procedural setbacks. In September, the court rejected Anywar’s application seeking production of the voters’ register for inspection.
The planned cross-examination of witnesses was later abandoned after three of her lawyers were involved in a road accident while travelling to Kitgum. The matter subsequently proceeded 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, while Anywar was represented by Cumberland Advocates and Bashasha & Company Advocates.
The Electoral Commission and 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.
