Masaka NUP candidate accused of uttering fake academic documents

ELECTION WATCH | EC | NUP 

The Electoral Commission (EC) has received a petition accusing Masaka city mayoral candidate Florence Namayanja of presenting fake academic documents during the recent nomination exercise.

The petition, filed by a voter, Shakim Muswangala and dated December 23, 2020, was received by EC boss Justice Simon Byabakama on December 31, 2020.

Namayanja, the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer, is tussling it out with Willis Mbabazi of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Democratic Party's (DP) Charles Kabanda and Emmanuel Lwasa (independent).

Muswangala's lawyers say Namayanja does not possess the required academic credentials for the position of Masaka city mayor.

The petitioner says the academic documents that Namayanja presented to the EC belong to her cousin, Florence Namayanja, a daughter of Joseph Kasekende and Slyvia Nanyonjo.

"Namayanja adopted the academic documents for her political interests," Muswangala said.

The New Vision has learnt that Namayanja, a daughter of John Kisomose and Pelagia Namatovu, did not provide a deed poll or any statutory declarations reflecting changes from her initial name of Florence Namayanja Mukasa to Florence Namayanja.

The petitioner says the MP's O'level certificate, in the name of Florence Namayanja, index number 004/371 from Masaka Secondary School is not genuine.

The petition also noted that the A'level certificate presented by Namayanja under index number U1550/574, from Makerere Day and Evening Adult School in 2003, is also fake.

The petition stated that the Makerere University academic transcripts presented by Namayanja were also not genuine.

The petition noted that Namayanja dropped out of school in 1982 and that she did not attend Masaka Secondary School.

Muswangala said the EC and other the government institutions should open further inquiries into the authenticity and veracity of all Namayanja's other academic credentials.

Namayanja said she was waiting for official communication from Justice Byabakama before she responds.

"This is propaganda aimed at destroying me politically. I have served for two terms in Parliament without any query. I will respond to the petition when Byabakama summons me," she said.

 Sam Muyizzi, a Kampala-based lawyer attached to Namayanja's camp, described the petition as amateurish.

"It only has propaganda value; it's a non-starter. Simply vexatious and frivolous," Muyizzi said.