Lawyers representing National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Rose Nalubowa have requested that Acting High Court Judge Simon Peter Kinobe recuse himself from hearing a judicial review over the contested Masaka City Woman MP election vote recount.
Nalubowa petitioned the High Court in Masaka, challenging the decisions that led to the recount of the Masaka City Woman MP votes and the declaration of NRM’s Justine Nameere as the winner.
The petition was filed under Revisionary Clause Number 1 of 2026, which seeks to revise the entire record of Chief Magistrate Albert Asimwe, including all orders arising from it, particularly the one declaring Nameere as the winner.
The hearing commenced on Tuesday morning with Judge Kinobe presiding.
Nalubowa’s lawyers argued that the judge may not be impartial due to his previous participation in the 2021 NRM election primaries, suggesting a potential bias against opposition parties, especially the NUP.
Judge Kinobe declined to step aside, stating that prior associations with the ruling NRM were insufficient grounds to halt the hearing.
Despite the judge’s remarks, the lawyers continued to raise concerns over his impartiality as the matter proceeds.
By Alex Magala
11th Feb 2026
END
