Court rejects eight witnesses in petition against Nantaba

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The High Court in Mukono on Monday rejected eight witnesses and four additional affidavits in the second election petition filed challenging the victory of Idah Erios Nantaba, the Kayunga District Woman Member of Parliament.

Justice Olive Kazaare Mukwaya rejected the witnesses and affidavits during the hearing of a case filed by Harriet Nakwede, 44, one of the three people challenging Nantaba’s victory. The others are Jackeline Birungi, a former contestant and Rita Nabadda, a concerned citizen.

Justice Mukwaya rejected the witnesses after Nantaba’s lawyer Ambrose Tibyasa cross-examined Nakwede. Nakwede told the court that all the eight witnesses and supplementary affidavits presented lacked credible evidence to support her claims in the petition.

According to Nakwede, the eight witnessed election irregularities at the various polling stations on polling day.  However, the court was surprised that the witnesses did not attach national identity cards and did not indicate their polling stations.

The witnesses who were present in court included; Benedicto Kyobe, Rogers Lubowa, Isma Mugabe, Elizabeth Nalwoza, Experito Musoke, Umar Kabenge, Abel Kato and Hussein.

According to Tibyasa, they could not confirm that they are registered voters in Kayunga district.

Nakwede indicated in her petition that at some polling stations, votes were less than the number of registered voters. She cited Light College SS polling station where the cast ballots were less by 33 voters and at other polling stations, votes were higher than the actual number of voters.

Justice Mukwaya adjourned the court to August 30 for further hearing. The court will on the same day also hear the third petition against Nataba filed by Rita Nabadda.

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