The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Tribunal has dismissed a petition challenging the announcement of State Minister of Labour Mwesigwa Rukutana as winner of the Rushenyi County NRM party primary.
The petitioner, former Ntungamo District woman MP Naome Kabasharira ran to NRM EC seeking for cancellation of the incumbent, Minister Rukutana’s victory on allegations of inflation of votes and falsifying voters at Nyakahita village.
However, the decision of the NRM Tribunal chaired by Mr. Barata Enoch dismissed the petition saying the allegations are not substantiated and that they found out that the people of Nyakahita conducted voting.
The Tribunal ruled there is no credible evidence of ferrying between villages nor is there evidence of bribery.
Mr. Barata said that the Tribunal found out that the Minister Rukutana was validly elected as NRM flag bearer for the position of Member of Parliament for Rushenyi County
This after a recount following a petition filed by Rukutana challenging the outcome that earlier gave victory to his political nemesis Naome Kabasharira.
The NRM electoral commission chairman Dr Tanga Odoi earlier said they went through the results village by village as the candidates confirmed that they are the right ones and after tallying, the tally gave Rukutana a slim 20 vote advantage, which was maintained to the end.
Minister Rukutana was recently released on bail by the Chief Magistrates’ court in Ntungamo. Rukutana is charged with seven counts related to attempted murder, assault and malicious damage to property and threatening violence.
Also the same court quashed the petition against the election of Hon Timuzigu Michael Kamugisha winner of the Kajara County NRM party primary.
Twamuhabwa Wilson Kadiidi ran to NRM EC seeking for cancellation of the incumbent Timuzigu’s victory on allegations of electoral malpractices bribery and intimidation.
