By Our Reporter
The legal battle over the Soroti City Woman MP election has come to an end after National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Sarah Inachu withdrew her petition challenging the victory of incumbent MP Joan Alobo, citing the need to prioritise peace, unity and the city’s development.
Inachu formally informed the High Court that she would no longer pursue the case, which sought to overturn the results of the January 15, 2026 parliamentary election. Her petition had alleged electoral irregularities, including claims that the Electoral Commission failed to conduct a free and fair election and that the Soroti City Returning Officer unlawfully declared Alobo the winner. She had also accused Alobo of bribing Electoral Commission supervisors and facilitating vote rigging through pre-ticked ballot papers and ballot stuffing.
However, addressing the court, Inachu said extensive consultations with religious and political leaders across the Teso sub-region convinced her that reconciliation and development should take precedence over prolonged legal proceedings. Her lawyer, Richard Okalang, added that the high cost of gathering evidence also influenced the decision to withdraw the petition.
Soroti Resident Judge Justice Boniface Wamala welcomed the move, describing it as a positive step towards healing after a competitive election. He ruled that each party should bear its own legal costs, saying the withdrawal reflected a commitment to reconciliation and the unity needed in the post-election period.
Joan Alobo, who retained her parliamentary seat after securing 19,040 votes against Inachu’s 10,085, said she respected the decision and would not seek legal costs despite being prepared to defend her victory in court. She described the decision as an opportunity for leaders to focus on serving the people of Soroti City rather than remaining divided by political differences.
Alobo’s lead counsel, Francis Gimara, praised both leaders for choosing dialogue over prolonged litigation, noting that elections often produce disagreements but effective leadership is demonstrated by the ability to move forward for the common good.
NRM mobiliser and Presidential Advisor Teddy Acam also welcomed the development, saying the decision reflected political maturity and would create an environment for leaders to work together in advancing the interests of Soroti City residents.
