The race for Bukedea District Woman MP in the 2026 general elections has taken a dramatic turn after the Electoral Commission (EC) petitioned the High Court to block three female aspirants, a move that could leave Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among unchallenged in her stronghold.

The three women in the spotlight are Hellen Akol Odeke (Independent), Norma Susan Otai of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Marion Mercy Alupo of the National Unity Platform (NUP). Each of them has been preparing to take on Speaker Among in what was expected to be a hotly contested race.

But their political ambitions now hang in the balance. The EC, through Acting Secretary Richard Kamugisha Baabo, told the High Court that parish tribunals in Bukedea raised red flags about the women’s eligibility during the voter register display in May this year. The tribunals concluded that the trio did not meet the residence or origin requirements to represent the district.

Baabo said the women were invited to appear before the Commission to defend themselves, but the explanations they offered were not convincing. Hellen Odeke even pulled out of the review process midway.

The case is now before Justice Simon Peter Kinobe of the High Court Civil Division, who has set October 27, 2025 as the date to deliver his ruling.

The petition was filed by Zipporah Akol, a resident of Bukedea, who argues that the three should be struck off the voter register.

The women, however, insist they have been treated unfairly. Otai maintains she legally transferred her registration, while Alupo and Odeke claim the process has been riddled with bias.

The court’s decision will determine whether the three can continue their campaigns or be locked out of the 2026 race altogether.