The Masaka Chief Magistrate, Albert Asiimwe, has directed that ballots cast in the Kalungu East parliamentary election be recounted to determine the exact number of votes received by each candidate.

The order follows an application filed by former Minister of Defence, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, who is disputing the declaration of National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Yusufu Kiruruuta Nkeretanyi as the winner of the contest.

Ssempijja argues that the Electoral Commission made errors while tallying results from several polling stations, which he says led to an incorrect declaration that cost him victory. According to the officially announced results, Nkeretanyi garnered 15,473 votes, while Ssempijja received 13,298 votes.

In his ruling, the trial magistrate granted the request and instructed that the recount be conducted at 3:00 p.m. at the Kalungu District Electoral Commission offices.