Court of Appeal Judges turn down bribe

By Hillary Nsambu

The Judiciary has revealed that recently certain individuals attempted to bribe justices of the Court of Appeal handling Muyanja Mbabaali ‘s election appeal.

However, the Judiciary had decided that the judgment that was allegedly leaked to the public would be delivered on Wednesday May 16 at 10am.    

Earlier, Muyanja Mbabaali appealed challenging the decision of the High Court nullifying his election as Bukoto South Constituency Member of Parliament.

“As the justices embarked on preparing their decision, there was incessant interference from some members of the public who approached them with both monetary promises and other considerations, which they out-rightly rejected,” the statement issued by the court’s registrar and Judiciary PRIO, Elias Kisawuzi said .

The statement also said that Mbabaali’s election appeal challenging the High Court decision   was heard on December 21, 2011 by Justices Constance Byamugisha, Augustine Nshimye and Stella Arach-Amoko, who reserved their judgment on notice.

However, before the judgment could be delivered, media came out with reports that the judgment had been leaked, prompting Muayanja Mbabaali to complain to the Chief Justice.       

A decision had been reached that the appeal would be reheard by a different panel. However, after considering number issues concerning the alleged leakage of the judgment, the Judiciary has decided to deliver the judgment on the basis that rehearing could not be ordered without hearing both parties and approval of the court.

 It was, therefore, decided that a rehearing of the appeal would not meet the interests of justice, notwithstanding any misrepresentations and distortion of facts in this matter.       

“It is a notorious fact that once a court is seized with a matter, no any person or authority can interfere with the court in exercise of its judicial functions,” the stamen said.        

“The Judiciary re-assured the public of its commitment to provide justice to all as well as improving the quality of its services at all times,” the statement said.