Lawyers in the Ibanda Municipality parliamentary election petition have asked the High Court to transfer the remaining proceedings to Kampala, citing the cost of travelling to Mbarara and difficulties in coordinating court schedules.

The application was made by Robert Kirunda, counsel for incumbent MP Peter Agaba, after the cross-examination of witnesses presented by former MP Candidate Innocent Mwine Bakamuhara, who is challenging Agaba’s victory in the 2026 elections.

Kirunda told the court that the legal teams involved in the petition comprise about eight lawyers who handle other election petitions and cases before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, making it difficult to coordinate their schedules.

He argued that conducting the remaining proceedings in Kampala would ease logistical challenges, particularly because the Electoral Commission and some of the witnesses expected to testify are based in the capital.

The petition was filed by Bakamuhara, who contends that Agaba was not validly elected because of alleged falsification of results, electoral malpractices and illegal practices.

The Electoral Commission declared Agaba the winner with 14,279 votes against Bakamuhara’s 12,904. The commission is listed as the second respondent in the petition.

Responding to the application, Justice Isaac Bonny Teko directed the lawyers to submit a formal request to the Principal Judge through the trial judge at the Mbarara High Court circuit.

He also directed the parties to prepare a joint scheduling memorandum, signed by all sides, to clarify the proposed hearing arrangements.

The judge said the case would resume on November 2, 2026, if the application to transfer the proceedings to Kampala is approved. If the request is rejected, the hearing will continue in Mbarara on October 29, 2026.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, Agaba said holding the remaining proceedings in Kampala would reduce the costs associated with travelling to Mbarara, noting that he, Bakamuhara and their respective lawyers operate from the capital.

Agaba also appealed to supporters of both candidates to remain calm as the dispute proceeds through court, saying the election petition should not be treated as a matter of life and death.

He urged both sides to respect the judicial process and maintain peaceful relations, regardless of the eventual outcome.