Court dismisses second election petition against Nantaba

Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The High Court in Mukono has dismissed the second election petition against the Kayunga Woman MP Idah Nantaba.

The petition was filed by Jacqueline Kobusingye Birungi. Birungi who contested as an independent candidate accused Nantaba of forging the A-level results she presented from Mukono Town Academy dated 1998.

Birungi argued that Nantaba’s ‘O’ level certificate issued in 1996 bears the initial ‘E’ and Advanced certificate issued in 1998 bears only the name ‘Nantaba Idah’.

Nantaba’s lawyer Ambrose Tebyasa told the court that her client clarified the names Nantaba Idah, Nantaba Idah E, and Nantaba Idah Erios in a statutory declaration which was gazetted in the Uganda Gazette of October 2, 2020.

Kayunga District EC returning officer Rashid Musinguzi also told the court that Nantaba presented all the required documents including a statutory declaration explaining the discrepancies in her names and that nothing was stopping her from being nominated.

Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya in her ruling sent to the involved parties via email says the claims lack proof attached in support as required.

She noted that Birungi did not adduce evidence to prove that Nantaba was not the genuine owner of the O and A level certificates, besides attaching a copy of a statutory declaration clarifying mistakes in her name.

“In conclusion, I find that the 1st Respondent was academically qualified to be nominated, elected and declared winner of the election of Woman Member of Parliament, Kayunga district by the 2nd Respondent. This petition is hereby dismissed with costs to the Respondents.” Lady Justice Kazaarwe ruled.

Last week, the court dismissed a petition that was filed against Nantaba by Ritah Naabadda, a voter in Kayunga district. She accused Nantaba of bribing voters.

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