The High Court in Lira has dismissed an election petition filed by Queen Dorothy Amolo challenging the election of Patrick Ogwang Obura as Member of Parliament for Oyam South Constituency, ruling that the discrepancy in her name on the ballot paper did not substantially affect the outcome of the January 2026 election.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by email, Acting High Court Judge Fatuma Nanziri Bwanika upheld Ogwang’s election, finding that although the Electoral Commission had not fully complied with electoral requirements by printing a different name from the one under which Amolo was nominated, the discrepancy did not invalidate the election.
The court held that the name Queen Dorothy Alweny appearing on the ballot paper was a misnomer arising from the petitioner’s former name rather than the substitution of another candidate, noting that her photograph, other names and campaign symbol enabled voters to identify her.
The judgment followed a petition registered as Election Petition No. 1 of 2026, in which Amolo sought the nullification of Ogwang’s election, a fresh election and other reliefs over alleged irregularities in the nomination, ballot paper and declaration of results.
Ogwang, the National Resistance Movement candidate, was declared winner of the January 15, 2026 parliamentary election with 29,353 votes, while Amolo, an independent candidate, obtained 3,516 votes.
The Electoral Commission declared the results on January 16, 2026, with Ogwang securing the seat for the 2026–2031 parliamentary term.
Background to the petition
The dispute arose from the names printed on the ballot paper used during the Oyam South parliamentary election.
Amolo told court that she had been duly nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest as Queen Dorothy Amolo, but the ballot paper instead bore the name Queen Dorothy Alweny, which she claimed belonged to another person.
She argued that the discrepancy was not a simple spelling mistake but a fundamental irregularity that affected her participation in the election and the validity of the results.
Amolo further alleged that the photograph appearing on the ballot paper was blurred and that the Electoral Commission had unlawfully attributed votes cast under the name Queen Dorothy Alweny to her.
According to her petition, the declaration of 3,516 votes in her favour was unlawful because she maintained that no votes had been cast in her name as Queen Dorothy Amolo.
She contended that the irregularity went to the root of the election and sought a declaration that Ogwang had not been validly elected, an order nullifying the election and directing the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh poll.
She also accused the Electoral Commission and its returning officer of electoral non-compliance and sought costs against the respondents.
The respondents, however, denied the allegations.
The Electoral Commission and its returning officer, Joseph Omona, maintained that the election was conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner, arguing that the ballot paper contained the candidate’s photograph and symbol, which enabled voters to identify her.
They further contended that no formal complaint had been registered during the polling process regarding the alleged discrepancy and that any irregularity had not substantially affected the outcome of the election.
Ogwang also defended his election, arguing that Amolo had been identifiable on the ballot paper and that the petition was based on an issue that did not alter the voters’ decision.
Court hearing and evidence
The petition was heard by Justice Bwanika, who had earlier scheduled judgment for November 5 after concluding the hearing and receiving submissions and rejoinders from the parties.
The hearing took place on September 18, 2026, as part of the Judiciary’s handling of election petitions arising from the January general elections.
During the proceedings, Amolo maintained that she had been nominated under the name Queen Dorothy Amolo and that the name Queen Dorothy Alweny appearing on the ballot paper was not hers.
She also raised concerns about the clarity of her photograph and argued that the Electoral Commission had failed to ensure that the ballot paper accurately reflected her nomination particulars.
However, during cross-examination, Amolo acknowledged that she had used the name Queen Dorothy Alweny since childhood before changing it to Queen Dorothy Amolo in 2020 when she contested the same parliamentary seat.
She told court that she was popularly known as Queen Dorothy Amolo among residents of Oyam.
Amolo also maintained that she had raised the complaint with the returning officer and that the discrepancy had affected her participation in the election.
The respondents disputed her claims, arguing that the ballot paper contained sufficient identifying information and that the election process had been conducted without any substantial irregularity.
The Electoral Commission’s returning officer maintained that the candidate’s photograph and symbol were clear and that voters could identify her despite the discrepancy in the printed name.
Key findings in the judgment
In determining the petition, Justice Bwanika examined the allegations of electoral non-compliance, the evidence presented by the parties and whether the alleged irregularities substantially affected the outcome of the election.
The court acknowledged that the Electoral Commission had not fully complied with electoral requirements by printing a name different from the one under which Amolo had been nominated.
However, the judge found that the discrepancy did not amount to the substitution of a candidate.
The court’s central finding was that the use of Amolo’s former surname, Alweny, amounted to a misnomer rather than the introduction of an alien candidate onto the ballot paper.
The court noted that the name appearing on the ballot paper was associated with the petitioner’s former identity and that her other names, photograph and campaign symbol remained available for identification.
The judge therefore rejected the argument that the ballot paper had introduced a different candidate in place of Amolo.
The court also considered whether the discrepancy had substantially affected the election results.
It found that the alleged irregularity had not been shown to have substantially affected the outcome of the election, which was a critical consideration in determining whether the results should be nullified.
The judgment further considered the evidence relating to complaints allegedly made during the polling process.
The court noted the absence of contemporaneous documentary evidence demonstrating that Amolo or her polling agents had formally protested against the discrepancy during the election.
The issue was significant because the respondents maintained that the election process had proceeded without a formal complaint concerning the ballot paper and that the allegations were raised after the results had been declared.
The court consequently found that the evidence presented did not establish grounds for nullifying the election.
Court dismisses petition and upholds Ogwang’s election
Having considered the pleadings, evidence and submissions, Justice Bwanika dismissed Amolo’s petition and upheld Ogwang’s election as Member of Parliament for Oyam South.
The court found that the discrepancy in the printed name did not substantially vitiate the election and that the petitioner had not established sufficient grounds to overturn the declared results.
The judgment therefore left Ogwang’s election intact.
The court also awarded costs of the petition against Amolo, meaning she will be required to meet the legal expenses arising from the case as ordered by court.
The decision effectively brought the election petition to an end at the High Court, although Amolo has indicated that she intends to challenge the ruling.
Ogwang calls for unity and service delivery
Speaking after the ruling, Ogwang welcomed the court decision, saying it had reaffirmed the choice made by the electorate.
He thanked the people of Oyam South for electing him for the 2026–2031 parliamentary term, saying the judgment had confirmed that the people’s decision was paramount.
Ogwang said the election petition had been stressful and costly, arguing that political disagreements should, where possible, be resolved through dialogue rather than court proceedings.
He urged political leaders to prioritise service delivery and the needs of their constituents, particularly communities struggling with poverty, school fees and other social challenges.
“The important thing is service delivery. What are we bringing to the people?” Ogwang said.
He said leaders should work together to ensure that residents received the services they deserved from government.
Ogwang also questioned the decision to pursue the petition, pointing to the difference in votes between him and Amolo, but said the country needed unity after the election period.
He said the next five years should focus on development, improving the lives of ordinary citizens and fighting poverty.
The Oyam South MP further urged political actors to avoid divisions that could undermine efforts to address the challenges facing communities.
Oyam NRM leaders welcome ruling
Oyam District NRM chairman Bosco Onyik Ogwal welcomed the judgment, saying the district was happy that the court had upheld Ogwang’s victory.
The ruling was also welcomed by Ogwang’s supporters, who celebrated the decision as confirmation of the electorate’s choice.
The court decision has left Ogwang in place as the elected MP for Oyam South, with his supporters urging leaders to move beyond electoral disputes and focus on development.
Amolo says ruling is a partial victory, vows appeal
Amolo, however, described the ruling as a partial victory, saying the court had found the Electoral Commission at fault over the handling of her nomination and the ballot paper.
In a reaction posted on her TikTok page, Amolo said the court had established that the Electoral Commission was responsible for the irregularity involving her name.
She argued that the commission had nominated her as Queen Dorothy Amolo but subsequently printed Queen Dorothy Alweny on the ballot paper, before declaring a result form bearing Amolo’s name.
Amolo said she would sue the government for damages arising from the election and indicated that she intended to appeal the judgment.
Her position suggests that the dispute may continue beyond the High Court, depending on the steps she takes to challenge the ruling.
Ogwang says he will consult lawyers on costs
Ogwang said he would consult his lawyers before deciding how to proceed regarding the costs associated with the petition.
He argued that election-related court cases often come with financial consequences and that political leaders should explore dialogue and reconciliation where possible.
He said the petition had attracted unnecessary costs and divisions among people who had voted for the competing candidates.
Ogwang urged leaders to respect the electorate’s decision and work together to ensure that government services reach the people.
The judgment leaves Ogwang’s election as Oyam South MP upheld, while Amolo’s stated intention to appeal and seek damages signals that the legal dispute may not yet be over.