Election violence victims protest outside Masaka High Court

What the report says

Dozens of people in Masaka, Uganda, who say they were affected by election-related violence gathered outside Masaka High Court as hearings began in petitions challenging the February 15 parliamentary elections. According to The Independent Uganda, the demonstrators came with placards and photographs of people they said were killed or injured during the campaign period, and called on the court to deliver justice. Police blocked the group from entering the court area and said the presence of a large crowd could disrupt proceedings.

The protest is linked to a petition filed by Hellen Nakeeya, the National Resistance Movement candidate who lost the Kalungu Woman MP race to incumbent and State Minister for Water Aisha Ssekindi. Nakeeya is asking the court to annul Ssekindi’s victory, saying the election was affected by intimidation, violence against her supporters and the deaths of two people she identifies as campaign agents. She also claims several others were injured during the confrontation.

Supporters outside court said families affected by the violence were still struggling and wanted the judges to hear what happened in Kalungu. Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye urged politicians and litigants not to mobilize crowds that could interfere with court business. The Masaka High Court circuit is handling 21 election petitions from constituencies across 10 districts, making the hearings part of a broader review of disputed election outcomes in the region.