Candidates in Kamuli by-election warned against bribery

The Electoral Commission (EC) chairman has warned aspirants for the Kamuli MP race against bribery of voters, saying it is a criminal act upon which nullification of a victory will be based. 

Justice Simon Byabakama Mugyeni issued the warning on Friday during a consultative meeting with residents of Kamuli at Malamu Centre Hotel in Kamuli District. 

Byabakama said commercialisation of politics is an act which undermines the essence of democracy and therefore called upon the people of Kamuli to refrain from it. 

"Even if one person pins you with evidence of voter bribery; that is ground enough to nullify your victory" he said. 

Byabakama asked Kamuli voters not to sell their votes for peanuts.

"Who of you knows the value of a vote? You sell your vote at sh10,000; is your vote worth that?" he asked.

The residents aired concerns about Police taking sides but Byabakama warned any officer who is not ready to keep law and order to stay home. 

He however had a hard time convincing the residents that the electoral body lacked powers to determine the authenticity of academic papers of an aspirant. 

"Tanga Odoi said our MP has forged papers and therefore is not eligible, but she was nominated, are we not bracing ourselves for another by elections?" asked Charles Magaya.

Quoting the electoral laws, Byabakama said it is not the role of the EC to determine the authenticity of one's credentials but to conduct free and fair elections. 

"It is the National Council of Higher Education and Uganda National Examinations Board that determine the authenticity of one's academic papers not us" he said amidst dissenting voices. 

The Kamuli by-election comes after Salamu Musumba successfully challenged the victory of Rehema Watongola in court for lack of minimum academic qualifications.