MOROTO — Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Esther Anyakun Davinia has failed to present a purported letter from Parliament that she said would explain why she did not verify her academic documents with the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) ahead of the 2025/2026 general elections.
The minister’s failure to produce the letter has emerged during a parliamentary election petition filed by her political rival, Lopuwa Lilly, at the High Court in Moroto.
According to communication available in court, Anyakun did not attach the purported letter to her defence submissions, despite promising during cross-examination about three weeks ago that she would provide documentation from Parliament to support her position.
Lopuwa, through her lawyer, Hamson Baguma of Kituuma-Magala and Co. Advocates, has challenged the minister over her failure to obtain the required UNEB verification of her academic qualifications before nomination.
During cross-examination, Anyakun reportedly admitted that she had not verified her academic documents but indicated that a letter from Parliament would demonstrate why she was not required to follow the procedure.
The petitioner’s lawyers also questioned Nakapiripirit District Electoral Registrar Otim Januarius over the circumstances under which Anyakun was nominated without the required academic verification.
They accused the registrar of acting in connivance with the minister to circumvent electoral requirements.
Electoral guidelines require parliamentary candidates to have their academic qualifications verified by UNEB ahead of nomination to establish the authenticity of their documents and ensure that only eligible candidates participate in elections.
The verification requirement is intended to prevent candidates from presenting forged or questionable academic documents.
Lopuwa expressed disappointment over the minister’s failure to produce the promised parliamentary communication, saying she had additional evidence challenging Anyakun’s academic qualifications but was prevented from filing it in court.
“She has not attached the purported letter from Parliament as she told us in court. I had more evidence relating to her lack of requisite qualifications, but we were blocked from filing additional information,” Lopuwa said.
The minister was also questioned about her academic performance at the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), with the petitioner’s lawyers asking whether she considered herself qualified to serve as a Member of Parliament after reportedly obtaining two points in her examinations.
The dispute is part of a wider election petition in which Lopuwa is challenging Anyakun’s victory in the January 15 elections.
Lopuwa has accused Anyakun and the Electoral Commission of several electoral irregularities, including voter bribery, ballot stuffing and alleged military involvement in the electoral process.
The case is being heard at the Moroto High Court by visiting High Court Judge Vincent Opyene.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on November 14, 2026.