Sematimba’s fate to be decided on Monday

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | The Court of Appeal will on Monday 18, September deliver the judgment in the election appeal filed by embattled Peter Ssematimba against rival Stephen Sekigozi.

Sematimba is challenging a Kampala High Court decision that nullified his election as Member of Parliament (MP) of Busiro South Constituency, on grounds of lack of academic qualification.

The Court’s deputy Registrar Deo Nzeyimana signed and sent out notices on Friday informing the parties in this case that judgment is ready.

In June last year, Justice Lydia Mugambe faulted the National Council of Higher Education (NICHE) for avoiding to independently verify the authenticity and validity of Sematimba’s Diploma in Electrical and Computer Technology, said to have been obtained from the Pacific Coast Technical Institute based in the US.

The judge also ordered that NICHE pays the costs of the petition to Ssematimba’s political rival DP’s Stephen Ssekigozi.

However through Muganwa, Nanteza and company advocates, Ssematimba appealed saying he was dissatisfied with Justice Mugambe’s decision of declaring his seat vacant and an order that fresh elections be held.