Court Upholds Miyingo Election

By Eddie SsejjobaThe Masaka resident judge, Solome Balungi Bbosa, yesterday dismissed with costs an election petition filed by Henry Bazira Ssewanyana against environment state minister Kezimbira Miyingo.The judge ruled out that the petitioner, also a runner-up in the Bukoto Mid West parliamentary elections, did not qualify to be a candidate and therefore was not fit to petition. Miyingo beat Ssewanyana by 2,859 votes. Basing on Ssewanyana's two diploma certificates, the judge said he was not truly nominated as a candidate and therefore had no right to challenge Miyingo’s election.She said Ssewanyana's diplomas, attained abroad, were not gazetted as required by law and could not be equated to Uganda's 'A' Level standards.Ssewanyana had filed a petition seeking the nullification of Miyingo’s election, saying there was rigging, stuffing of ballot boxes, intimidation of voters, bribing and use of government facilities.Ends