Court orders fresh elections in Kasese

The Court of Appeal in Kampala has ordered fresh elections for Kabatoro Town Council LC3 in Kasese District.

On Thursday, a panel of three judges led by Remmy Kasule found that Kizza Kagaro's nomination did not have the mandatory twenty signatures of supporters as required under the provisions of the Local Government Act.

Kasule was assisted by Richard Buteera and Egonda Ntende.

"We accordingly set aside the respondent's election as a chairman LC3 for Kabatoro Town Council since he was not validly nominated. The Electoral Commission is hereby ordered to conduct fresh elections for the post," they unanimously ruled.

According to the judges, Kagoro's nomination did not comply with section 111(4) (f) of the Local Government Act.                          

The judges also awarded costs to the petitioner John Bosco Kananura. The costs will be jointly paid by Kagoro and the Electoral Commission.

Kananura, Kagoro and Nicholas Kagongo contested for the post in the 2016 polls held on March 9, 2016.  Kagoro was declared the winner.

However, Kananura was not satisfied and petitioned the High Court sitting in Fort Portal but his petition was dismissed on grounds that he failed to prove that Kagoro not validly nominated.  

He then petitioned the Court of Appeal.