The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elections Tribunal has cancelled President Museveni’s brother Godfrey Aine Sodo Kaguta’s Mawogola North Member of Parliament (MP) Primary win, citing irregularities.
Sodo Kaguta defeated Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa’s daughter Shatsi Musherure Kuteesa in the Primary less than a month ago.
Ms Kuteesa, while appealing Sodo’s initial win, alleged voter importation, use of violence, and intimidation of her supporters by those of the the winner, Mr. Sodo. She also claimed disenfranchisement of her voters as she said some villages were denied opportunity to vote.
She prayed that the tribunal reconducts elections in the villages of Serinya, Kyizaano, Kanyumba, Kyenshama, Kyemambo, Kikoma, Kyolora and Dispensary Ward.
According to Lawyer Enoch Barata, the Chairperson of the Tribunal, the two parties in the case appeared before them for the hearing on 8th October at the NRM Headquarters in Kampala.
“While the margin between the two candidates according to the District Registrar is 1,580 votes, several incidents stand out to show a substantial effect on the election.” Mr. Barata noted in the Tribunal’s ruling.
He further said that the results of the polling stations marred by violence and voter ferrying cannot be let to stand. He said that the tribunal would have ordinarily ordered for a re-election at the said polling stations but the decision cannot be effective since nominations for MP in the general election are being conducted already.
“All in all, the Tribunal finds that the actual winner of the election cannot be established in light of the irregularities enumerated. Consequently, it is the decision of the Tribunal that the petition succeeds.” Barata further said.
He however noted that without the proper exercise of voter franchise, the Tribunal wasn’t able to pronounce a winner and recommended the matter to the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), the highest decision making organ in the Party.
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