Court adjourns Bukoto East recount petition

By Dismus Buregyeya    

Court has adjourned until March 3 the petition for a recount of the Bukoto East parliamentary votes in Masaka district.

The packed court presided over by the Masaka Chief Magistrate Samuel Munoba on February 29, adjourned the case to give the complainant ample time to serve the EC secretary, Sam Rwakojo.

"Given the busy schedule of the EC secretary it's not possible to reach him now; we shall adjourn until March 3 for him to take receipt of court serving procedures. He may come or delegate any officer or employee of the EC," he said.

Namayanja's legal machinery; Medard Segona, Erias Lukwago and Jude Mbabaali. The trio are Busiro East, Kampala Lord Mayor and Masaka district LC5 chairperson elect, respectively. Photo by Dismus Buregeya

The complainant, Dr Abdullah Nkoyoyo (NRM) who lost the Bukoto East Parliamentary race to the incumbent area MP, Florence Namayanja (DP) petitioned court last week  for a  recount citing  several irregularities during the election process.

Dr Nkoyoyo, who lost the race with a deference of 300 votes, said there were unnecessary delays in submitting the ballots from the polling stations to the district EC tally centre.

He said in some areas the votes were counted at night under darkness.  Dr. Nkoyoyo said the ballots were given to wrong people to transport to the district EC tally centre after the vote counting exercise.

People thronged the court to hear the electoral petition. Photo by Dismus Buregeya

"The Declaration Result forms were messed up, we need a recount for justice to prevail," he said.

Dr Nkoyoyo said his polling agents were denied access to the Declarations Results forms citing Kalangala polling station.

He said about 180 ballot papers ticked in his favour were rendered invalid.

He said Namayanja's supporters were involved in acts of intimidation and several other  electoral injustices.  

Namayanja was represented by the Kampala Lord Mayor elect, Elias Lukwago, the incoming Masaka district council chairman, Jude Mbabali and Medadi Ssegona.

The complainant's legal team led by Musa Kabega said he was comfortable with the adjournment.