87% NRM losers' petitions dismissed, lack merit

Over 87% of election petitions lodged before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party electoral commission have been dismissed for lack of merit.

The party's electoral commission boss, Dr Tanga Odoi, said on Monday that investigations by the tribunal and a separate investigation team upheld the results announced by the commission earlier.

The party's top organ, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) under the chairmanship of President Yoweri Museveni appointed city advocate Enock Barata to head the elections disputes tribunal and also instituted a separate investigation team to handle issues raised by the petitioners.

The NRM primaries, held on September 4 to elect flag-bearers for MPs, LC5 chairpersons and city mayors were marred by disputes resulting in over 500 petitions from losers, some of them ministers.

"The majority of the petitions have been dismissed for lack of evidence. Some of the petitioners accused their opponents of voter bribery and intimidation, but there was no evidence to substantiate such allegations. About 85% of the tribunal's work tallied with our decisions," Odoi said.

Flanked by commissioners Jane Alisemera and John Kigyagi, Odoi said CEC has advised that a re-election be held in 84 villages in Nyabushozi County and in 29 villages in Butaleja Woman MP seat race in Busabi sub-county scheduled for Wednesday.

Kigyagi said the commission is working towards resolving petitions for seven constituencies: Insingiro Woman MP, Mbale Woman MP, Ibanda Woman MP, Kayunga Woman MP, Njeru Municipality, Ntoroko County and Kibuku LC5 ahead of Thursday when national nominations for MPs kick off.

The tribunal held a two-week hearing session in all regions. Busoga with 38 petitions and Ankole with 30 petitions topped the list.

The petitions were raised in Kabale Municipality and the District Woman MP seat, Ndorwa West represented by state minister for finance David Bahati.

Others are Ndorwa West, Rubanda East, Bufumbira South, Kisoro Municipality, Bukimbiri County, Rubanda East and West, Rukiga, Rubabo, Kinkizi West and Kinkizi East represented by state minister for housing Dr Chris Baryomunsi.

In Lango sub-region, petitions were raised in Erute North, Lira City East, Lira district, Lira Woman MP, Moroto, Alebtong district and Woman MP, Ajuri County represented by state minister for sports Hamson Obua, Oyam South, Kwania. Amudat, Upe and Otuke Woman MP seat.

In Acholi sub-region affected counties include Aswa, Gulu West, Gulu Woman MP, Laroo-Pece division, Omoro Woman seat, Tochi County, Amuru Woman MP, Chua West, Palabek and Aruu North.

In greater Mukono 10 constituencies have petitions. They include Nakifuma County, Mukono South, Mukono Woman seat, Bbaale County, Ntenjeru South, Buvuma woman, Buikwe woman, Lugazi and Njeru municipalities.

For greater Mubende Buwekula County, Buwekula South, Kasambya, Kassanda South, Busujju County, Mityana Municipality and Woman MP seat held by ICT minister Judith Nabakooba, Mawokota South, Mpigi Woman, Gomba East and West.

In greater Masaka, Bukoto Central of Vice-President Edward Ssekandi, Bukoto Mid-West, East and West, Masaka City, Nyendo Mukungwe, Kabula, Lwengo, Buyamba, Kooki, Rakai, Lwemiyaga, Mawogola, Sembabule, Kakuuto and Bukomansimbi.

In Busoga, Jinja West, North, South West, Kagoma North, Iganga Municipality, Kigulu North, Luuka North and South, Bunya East, West, South, Bukooli South, Bukono of minister Persis Namuganza, Busiki, Bugweri, Bugabula North of minister Moses Kizige and Buzaya of minister Isaac Musumba.

In Ankole, petitions were raised in Mbarara North, South, Rwampara East, Bukanga County, Bukanga North, Isingiro West, East, South and North (minister Bright Rwamirama), Ruhinda, Kazo, and Ibanda North among others.