Kampala, Uganda: The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) has welcomed the decision by former presidential candidate Robert Kasibante to withdraw his petition challenging Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s victory in the 2026 presidential election, describing the move as “wise, pragmatic and forward-looking.”
Kasibante, who carried the National Peasants Party (NPP) flag in the Jan 15 elections, filed an application before the Supreme Court of Uganda on Friday seeking leave to withdraw Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2026, citing prohibitive financial costs and the technical complexity involved in prosecuting the case.
In his application, Kasibante argued that carrying out a comprehensive audit of election materials, including declaration of results forms, biometric voter verification records, vote scanners and Electoral Commission servers, would require highly specialised forensic expertise and enormous financial resources beyond his means.
‘He chose to move forward’
Reacting to the development, ONC Manager, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, praised Kasibante for choosing what she described as a realistic path instead of remaining locked in a costly and uncertain legal battle.
“He has looked far and decided to move ahead instead of being trapped in a stagnant process,” Namyalo said. “That was a wise decision.”
She claimed Kasibante had initially been encouraged by opposition figures who promised to bankroll the petition, but later failed to honour those commitments.
“Other political actors approached him and promised to back him up financially. Unfortunately, he was left hanging,” Namyalo said. “When you are left hanging, you have to meet the bills, meet the costs and meet the defeat. So he was smart enough to say, ‘No, I have to withdraw.’”
Namyalo further said the withdrawal clears the way for President Museveni to focus on preparations for his next term without prolonged legal uncertainty. “Thanks to Kasibante for not allowing himself to be used, but also for looking far and deciding to let Museveni move forward with his victory,” she said.
A familiar pattern in election petitions againstMuseveni
Namyalo further argued that Kasibante’s withdrawal fits into a broader historical pattern in which election petitions against President Museveni fail to reach full maturity due to financial strain, technical hurdles and political fatigue on the part of petitioners.
Since the reintroduction of multiparty politics, several presidential petitions challenging Museveni’s victories have either collapsed midway or lost momentum before full evidentiary scrutiny.
In 2006, opposition leader Kizza Besigye petitioned the Supreme Court over alleged electoral malpractices. While the case was heard to conclusion, the court acknowledged irregularities but upheld Museveni’s victory, setting a precedent that raised the evidentiary bar for future challengers.
Subsequent petitions, including those filed after the 2016 and 2021 elections, have faced similar challenges, prolonged legal timelines, high litigation costs and the complexity of proving nationwide electoral fraud, leading to withdrawals of specific applications or abandonment of certain claims before full trial.
Describing Kasibante’s move as pragmatic, Namyalo said the former candidate had correctly assessed the reality of the situation. “These petitions demand resources that most candidates simply do not have. You need money, experts, time and stamina,” she said. “Many have started the journey before and realised midway that it is not sustainable.”
If the Supreme Court grants Kasibante leave to withdraw, the move will formally bring to an end one of the major legal challenges arising from the January 15, 2026, presidential election, further consolidating Museveni’s re-election victory.
The court is expected to rule on the application in the coming days.
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