Dr Batuwa (left) left Balyeku starving in the court case.
By Ruth Nanyonga
JINJA. The High Court in Jinja has thrown out an election petition in which NRM’s Moses Grace Balyeku challenged the victory of Jinja South West MP Timothy Batuwa Lusala.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, High Court Judge Justice Vincent Wagona dismissed the petition with costs, ruling that Balyeku had failed to prove that the alleged electoral irregularities substantially affected the outcome of the election.
Batuwa, who contested on the NUP ticket, was declared winner of the Jinja West MP seat with 4,900 votes against Balyeku’s 3,083, giving him a margin of 1,817 votes.
The ruling upholds Batuwa’s election and brings to an end months of legal contestation over the parliamentary seat.
In a statement issued shortly after the judgment, Batuwa described the decision as a victory for truth, justice and the people, attributing his success to God’s intervention.
He accused his political opponents of using the petition to frustrate his leadership and make his victory difficult, arguing that the legal challenge was intended to undermine the mandate voters had given him.
Batuwa thanked his family, political leaders, supporters and legal team for standing with him throughout the proceedings.
He singled out his wife, Janet, and their children for their emotional support, alongside his father, Engineer DW Batuwa, and other family members.
The legislator also commended his key witnesses, Roseberry Kaikuta and Lazarus Namadu, for their testimonies, saying their courage and integrity had played an important role in defending his election.
He applauded his legal team, led by Counsel Mudiobole Abed Nasser, alongside lawyers Benna Mutamba, Mubonde Nasser, Kirema Faizo and Samuel Kakaire, for what he described as their professional handling of the case.
Batuwa also thanked NUP grassroots leaders and supporters who attended court sessions, saying their solidarity strengthened his resolve during the legal battle.
With the petition dismissed, the legislator said his attention would now shift to fulfilling his campaign promises and serving his constituents.
“The distraction is over. Now, it is time to focus entirely on what matters most: service, development and fulfilling the promises we made to our people,” Batuwa said.
He called on his supporters and the electorate to remain united as he takes up his parliamentary responsibilities.
For now, Balyeku’s attempt to eat into Batuwa’s electoral victory has come at a cost, with the court not only dismissing his petition but also ordering him to pay costs.