Court rules Ugandan presidential election petition
The Ugandan Supreme court has today delivered the much-awaited judgment in the presidential election petition filed by Mr. Amama Mbabazi of the Go Forward party.
A panel of nine Justices of the court, led by the Chief Justice Bart M. Katureebe who are Justices: Jotham Tumwesigye, Dr. Esther Kisaakye, Mary Stella Arach-Amoko, Augustine Nshimye, Eldad Mwangusya, Rubby Aweri-Opio, Faith Mwondha and Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza rulled in favor of President Museveni
The verdict summary was read starting 9.am at the Kololo-based court with the detailed verdict expected to be released months later.
The court’s verdict is the final one and cannot be appealed since the Supreme Court is both the first and last court in handling of presidential election petitions in Uganda.
This presidential election petition No. 1 of 2016 arose on March 1 after Mr. Mbabazi who was announced third in the February 18 general polls, was dissatisfied with the results.
Mr. Mbabazi cited non-compliance with electoral laws by the Electoral Commission and bribery incidents by the President as some of the grounds to nullify the election.
He accused President Museveni, through his agents, of having bribed voters in every village throughout the country with Shs.250, 000 on two occasions with the intent of restraining them from voting for him.
He also alleged that the President bribed the voters in West Nile with hand hoes with the aim that they should vote for him.
The verdict gives President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni go ahead to rule Uganda for the fifth time after being in power since 29 January 1986 thus extending his 30-year rule for another five years.