Mbabazi Appeals Over Lost MP Seat

By Hillary Nsambu DEFENCE minister Amama Mbabazi has filed a notice of appeal, saying he intends to challenge the High Court judgment in which his election was nullified. Byamugisha and Rwaheru Advocates, the lawyers representing Mbabazi, filed the notice of appeal on Friday at the Court of Appeal registry.On May 17, High Court Judge Egonda Ntende nullified Mbabazi’s election as Member of Parliament for Kinkizi West and ordered a bye-election, saying the petitioner, James Garuga Musinguzi, had satisfied court that a lot of irregularities marred the exercise. Musinguzi, who was a campaign manager for former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, was Mbabazi’s sole opponent. In his ruling, Ntende said he was satisfied with the evidence on record that Mbabazi bribed voters, failed to comply with the electoral law and used public resources in going about the campaigns.Ntende added, “Promotion and preferential support to Amama Mbabazi by the President, undermined the broadbased individual merit principle of the Movement Government.” The notice of appeal says, “Take notice that the appellant, Amama Mbabazi, being dissatisfied with the judgment of the High Court Judge, Egonda Ntende, intends to appeal against the whole judgement.”Ends