Reject Kabatsi's appointment, Kawooya asks Parliament

Ssembabule district woman MP, Hanifa Kawooya has asked the Parliament vetting committee not to approve Joy Kabatsi as the State Minister for Animal industry.

"The academic credentials of Kabatsi are not clean. The parliamentary vetting committee should demand to have a close look at the original copies of her law degree and other relevant documents," said Kawooya who has continuously battled similar allegations herself.

Kawooya was speaking to New Vision today after the High Court presided over by Justice Lawrence Gidudu dismissed another election petition against her.

The election petition was filed by the former district councillor Isha Ntumwa on grounds that the Ssembabule district woman MP elections were marred by acts of vote rigging, ballot stuffing and intimidation of voters.

Ntumwa a political ally of Kabatsi also challenged Kawooya's academic credentials on grounds that they were not genuine.

Last month court also dismissed similar election petition filed by Kabatsi on grounds that the petition lacked substantial evidence.

Kawooya said she was disturbed by Kabatsi's decision to file an appeal against ruling which dismissed the petition.

Hearing of the election petition appeal has been set for June 14 before High Court in Masaka.

"Kabatsi and President Museveni reached an amicable stand over my petitions, why has she come back to court. Kabatsi must not breach the agreement reached with President Museveni," she said.

Joy Kabatsi displays the alleged pre-ticked ballots in favour of Kawooya after filing the petition. Photo by Dismus Buregeya

Kabatsi's counsel Medard Ssegona said it is his client's right to seek court redress.

"Kawooya should not drag her political issues into court affairs," he said.

Kawooya said that it is because of her that President Museveni decided to name Kabatsi as state minister.

"If it was not for me, Kabatsi would not have featured on the ministerial list. She knows the conditions regarding the matter and I am surprised that she is dragging me into the election petition again," she said.

Kawooya said that Kabatsi has failed for a total of 16 years trying to oust her from Parliament.

She said Kabatsi has to pay costs awards for the eight petitions. She added that Kabatsi will never defeat her in an election.