By Patience Namuddu
Former presidential candidate Robert Kasibante has withdrawn his petition challenging President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s victory in the January 15, 2026, election, citing financial and technical challenges that made pursuing the case impossible.
Kasibante filed an application before the Supreme Court to withdraw Presidential Election Petition No. 1 of 2026, explaining that a full forensic audit of electoral materials, including voter records, electronic scanners, and declaration forms, required specialized expertise and funding beyond his personal means.
Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, Manager of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), welcomed the decision, describing it as “wise and forward-looking.” She noted that Kasibante had initially been promised financial and logistical support by some political actors, which ultimately did not materialize, leaving him to shoulder the legal process alone.
“When the promised support failed, continuing with such a complex and costly case became unsustainable. Withdrawing was the responsible choice,” Namyalo said. She added that presidential election petitions are among the most demanding cases in Uganda’s courts, often requiring advanced technical evidence, expert analysis, and significant financial resources.
Namyalo further highlighted that Kasibante’s withdrawal would ease post-election tensions and allow the country to focus on national development. She described the decision as a step toward stability and a smooth post-election transition.
If approved by the Supreme Court, the withdrawal will end one of the main legal challenges to the 2026 election results, allowing President Museveni to focus on preparations for his next term. Analysts say the move could also foster greater political cohesion as attention shifts from court battles to governance and the implementation of the national development agenda.
Kasibante’s decision underscores the high cost and complexity of contesting presidential elections in Uganda, highlighting the logistical and financial hurdles faced by candidates pursuing legal challenges.