Court Of Appeal Rejects EC Plea On MP Masiko Case

Jul 01, 2002

THE Court of Appeal has rejected an application by the Electoral Commission (EC) to merge their election appeal with that of Rukungiri Woman MP, Winfred Masiko, against Winnie Babihuga, reports Solomon Muyita.

THE Court of Appeal has rejected an application by the Electoral Commission (EC) to merge their election appeal with that of Rukungiri Woman MP, Winfred Masiko, against Winnie Babihuga, reports Solomon Muyita.The two appealed separately against the High Court Justice Musoke Kibuuka’s judgement on the Rukungiri election petition in favour of Babihuga in March.Cheborion Barishaki, the Commissioner for Litigation in the Attorney General’s office, who represents the EC in the matter, applied for consolidation of the EC and Masiko’s appeals. He said both cases arose from the same petition.But the court, presided over by Deputy Chief Justice Laeticia Kikonyogo, together with justices George Engwau and Catherine Kitumba, ruled that each matter be heard separately in the interest of justice. Barishaki had argued that the judges would be looking at the same evidence, circumstances and judgement, which would save court’s time and save Babihuga the costs of handling two similar appeals separately. But Masiko’s lawyer, Wilson Kwarisiima favoured the move.Ends

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