Former Senator Gloria Orwoba Withdraws Legal Challenge Against Senate Removal
Quote from Lawyer on September 19, 2025, 6:04 amIn a significant development, the High Court has permitted former nominated United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Senator Gloria Orwoba to withdraw her petition challenging her removal from the Senate. The decision was made on Thursday by Justice Chacha Mwita, who officially marked the matter as withdrawn after Orwoba's legal counsel informed the court that she no longer wished to pursue the case. The lawyer stated, "It is my request that the same petition be marked as withdrawn," confirming that a notice of withdrawal had been formally filed on August 20, 2025.
Orwoba's petition, initially filed to contest her removal, centered on a gazette notice published on May 21, 2025 (Vol. CXXVII No. 97), which declared her Senate seat vacant. She argued that the notice was unlawful and sought to nullify it. Additionally, she challenged a subsequent Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) notice dated August 15, 2025, which nominated Consolata Wabwire as her replacement in the Senate. Orwoba's legal team contended that both the IEBC's decision and the gazettement process were marred by procedural irregularities and illegalities.
Further, Orwoba had requested the court to issue an order preventing the Senate from swearing in Wabwire. She pointed to a Senate gazette notice (Vol. CXXVII No. 174) dated August 18, 2025, which scheduled Wabwire's swearing-in for August 20, 2025, arguing that it was based on a fundamentally flawed and void decision.
In her petition, Orwoba also sought declarations against UDA, the Senate, the IEBC, and the Registrar of Political Parties. She alleged that her expulsion from UDA and removal from its membership roll infringed upon her political rights, her right to fair administrative action, and her right to a fair hearing. These claims formed the basis of her challenge, as she argued that the processes leading to her removal were unjust and unconstitutional.
With the withdrawal of the petition on Thursday, Justice Mwita formally closed the case, stating, "The petition is marked withdrawn." The decision brings an end to Orwoba's legal efforts to reclaim her Senate seat, leaving Wabwire's nomination and impending swearing-in unchallenged. The closure of the case marks a significant moment in the ongoing political dynamics surrounding Orwoba's tenure and the broader operations of the UDA and the Senate.
In a significant development, the High Court has permitted former nominated United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Senator Gloria Orwoba to withdraw her petition challenging her removal from the Senate. The decision was made on Thursday by Justice Chacha Mwita, who officially marked the matter as withdrawn after Orwoba's legal counsel informed the court that she no longer wished to pursue the case. The lawyer stated, "It is my request that the same petition be marked as withdrawn," confirming that a notice of withdrawal had been formally filed on August 20, 2025.
Orwoba's petition, initially filed to contest her removal, centered on a gazette notice published on May 21, 2025 (Vol. CXXVII No. 97), which declared her Senate seat vacant. She argued that the notice was unlawful and sought to nullify it. Additionally, she challenged a subsequent Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) notice dated August 15, 2025, which nominated Consolata Wabwire as her replacement in the Senate. Orwoba's legal team contended that both the IEBC's decision and the gazettement process were marred by procedural irregularities and illegalities.
Further, Orwoba had requested the court to issue an order preventing the Senate from swearing in Wabwire. She pointed to a Senate gazette notice (Vol. CXXVII No. 174) dated August 18, 2025, which scheduled Wabwire's swearing-in for August 20, 2025, arguing that it was based on a fundamentally flawed and void decision.
In her petition, Orwoba also sought declarations against UDA, the Senate, the IEBC, and the Registrar of Political Parties. She alleged that her expulsion from UDA and removal from its membership roll infringed upon her political rights, her right to fair administrative action, and her right to a fair hearing. These claims formed the basis of her challenge, as she argued that the processes leading to her removal were unjust and unconstitutional.
With the withdrawal of the petition on Thursday, Justice Mwita formally closed the case, stating, "The petition is marked withdrawn." The decision brings an end to Orwoba's legal efforts to reclaim her Senate seat, leaving Wabwire's nomination and impending swearing-in unchallenged. The closure of the case marks a significant moment in the ongoing political dynamics surrounding Orwoba's tenure and the broader operations of the UDA and the Senate.