The Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court has approved a request for a vote recount in the tightly contested Kalungu West parliamentary election, a decision that has renewed expectations of clarity in a race that has kept both voters and candidates on edge.

The ruling directs that the recount be conducted on Friday at the Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Kalungu District, following weeks of dispute over the final outcome of the election.

The application was filed by independent candidate Ismael Ssemakula, who contested the announcement of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Joseph Ssewungu as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Kalungu West. Ssewungu is the incumbent MP.

Figures released by the Electoral Commission show that Ssewungu was declared winner with 10,106 votes, narrowly edging Ssemakula, who garnered 10,060 votes, leaving a slim difference of only 46 votes.

Through his lawyer, Ssemakula argued that mistakes made during the tallying process resulted in incorrect results being announced. He further stated in his petition that he had formally asked for a recount at the Tally Centre before the official declaration but that his request was dismissed, a situation he said cast doubt on the credibility of the entire process.

Ssewungu’s legal team, led by Caleb Alaka and Samuel Muyizzi, raised preliminary objections, insisting that the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court had no authority to hear an election matter arising from Kalungu District. Alaka maintained that the case had been lodged in the wrong jurisdiction.

However, Chief Magistrate Herbert Asiimwe rejected those objections, clarifying that Kalungu District currently lacks a fully operational Chief Magistrate’s Court and is administratively served by Masaka. He noted that election-related disputes from Kalungu are therefore currently handled in Masaka.

In his ruling, the magistrate stated that ordering a recount was justified given the extremely small margin between the two candidates and the need to establish the true winner beyond doubt. The court also faulted the Kalungu Returning Officer for refusing to grant Ssemakula a recount before the winner was officially declared.

Following the decision, Ssemakula welcomed the court’s ruling, expressing confidence that the recount would restore what he believes was his legitimate victory, which he claims was lost due to technical and arithmetic errors.

Ssewungu, meanwhile, said he did not oppose the recount exercise, emphasizing that his only concern was to ensure the safety and integrity of the ballot boxes throughout the process.

The outcome of the recount is now expected to play a decisive role in settling the Kalungu West election dispute and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.