KITARA SEEKS TO OVERTURN MAO`S ELECTION AS LAROO-PECE MP

DAILY MONITOR

The election of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao as Member of Parliament for Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City has been challenged in the High Court, with his rival seeking to nullify the results over alleged widespread electoral irregularities.

In a petition filed before the High Court in Gulu, Mr Tonny Kitara accuses Mr Mao and the Electoral Commission of breaching provisions of the Parliamentary Elections Act, arguing that the election was not conducted in accordance with the law and that the irregularities substantially affected the outcome.

Mr Mao was declared winner of the January 15, 2026, parliamentary race with 7,359 votes, defeating Mr Kitara, who garnered 2,867 votes. Several other candidates trailed in the contest.

However, Mr Kitara contends that the results were tainted by illegal practices, including voter bribery, misuse of state resources, and unlawful campaign conduct.

“There was non-compliance with the provisions laid down in the Parliamentary Elections Act, and this failure affected the results of the election in a substantial manner,” Mr Kitara states in his petition.

In his petition,  Mr Kitara states that Mr Mao campaigned outside the officially harmonised programme, including allegedly disrupting Kitara’s rallies. The petitioner further claims Mao held late-night radio campaigns past the legally permitted campaign period.

“On January 13, 2026… I heard the first Respondent (Mr Mao) campaigning over the radio up to 1:00 am, which contravened the law,” Mr Kitara avers in his supporting affidavit.

The petition also accuses Mao of using his official government vehicle and police escorts to campaign actions, which Kitara argues gave him an unfair advantage over other candidates.

Mr Kitara further alleges that Mr Mao, either personally or through his agents, distributed cash to individuals or organised groups to influence their vote.

One witness, Ms Santa Anena, swore an affidavit stating that she received Shs 150, 000 on behalf of her women’s group after attending a campaign rally.

“He gave me Shs 150,000 and told me to ensure that my group members vote for the first respondent,” she said, adding that she later urged about 25 group members to support Mr Mao.

Another voter, Ms Sarah Alur, claims she was given Shs 20,000 by one of Mr Mao’s campaign agents during the launch of his campaign.

“The money was given to influence me to vote for the first respondent,” she stated in her affidavit.

Mr Kitara further alleges that Mr Mao made false statements during campaigns, including claims that some rival candidates had stepped down in his favour and remarks suggesting he could appoint Kitara to a judicial position, statements the petitioner says misled voters and undermined his candidacy.

The petition also accuses Mr Mao and his agents of invoking the authority of the President to influence voters, allegedly telling constituents that supporting him was an order from the President.

Additionally, Mr Kitara faults the Electoral Commission for allegedly failing to act on complaints raised during the electoral process, which he says enabled the irregularities to persist.

“The second respondent refused to address my numerous complaints, thus giving the first respondent an unfair advantage,” Mr Kitara states.

Mr Kitara now wants court to nullify Mr Mao’s election, declare that the process was flawed, and order a fresh election for the constituency. He is also seeking costs of the petition.

The High Court is expected to set a hearing date where both Mao and the Electoral Commission will respond to the allegations.