Although President Museveni recently said that the cooperation agreement he signed with the Democratic Party (DP) in July did not include any agreement on a political transition, Nobert Mao, the DP president insists that the matter of political transition is written all over the document he signed.
Ssentaayi, a member of the National Resistance Movement-NRM party, emerged as the winner of the January 14, parliamentary polls with 12,882 votes ahead of the independent candidate Olivia Mugabe who polled 6,115 votes. But Mugabe challenged the outcome of the polls on grounds of voter harassment, bribery, and intimidation of polling agents.
Jamiru Walugembe, the Chairperson of Kimayanya B cell in Kimanya-Kabonera division and one of the victims sued the Chief Defense of Forces-CDF, the Kasijjagirwa UPDF Armored Brigade Commander Brigadier General Deus Sande, and the Brigade Intelligence Officer Major Fred Kasimoni Mushabo, over torture he suffered in the hands of the military.
Justice Ketra Katunguuka dismissed the petition due to a lack of substantial evidence to prove the allegations against Nandagire. According to Katunguuka, Tushemerirwe failed to tell the court who her rival bribed.
Christine Ndiwalana Nandagire, who contested on the National Unity Platform-NUP ticket was declared the MP for Bukomansimbi North constituency. However, her election is challenged by the former area MP and National Resistance Movement
Namayanja, who ran on the National Unity Platform-NUP party ticket, won the polls with 28,824 votes against the petitioner who emerged third with 2,421 votes. Dissatisfied with the poll results, Bamwesigye ran to Masaka High Court seeking among other things the nullification of the election on grounds that the Electoral Commission contravened the laws governing elections.
Nakisekka, the incumbent Masaka district Vice-Chairperson who however unsuccessfully for Masaka City female councilor representing Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, argues that the tendency of assigning staff permanent stations of work throughout the election process abets malpractice.
Bazzanya, who identifies himself as a builder and businessman, contends that Ssebamala was not validly elected. He argues that the MP-elect through his agents with his full knowledge and consent committed several illegalities and electoral offences during campaigns contrary to the laws governing Parliamentary Election.
In his affidavit, he argues that the Electoral Commission did not comply with the election laws and that the entire process was marred by massive ballot stuffing, alteration of the declaration of result forms, intimidation of voter, open day bribery and ferrying of voters among others; all in the favour of Musherure.
The call was made by the Human Rights Committee of Parliament which is currently conducting public hearings about the violations that marred the recent elections across the country. This includes the excessive use of force by law enforcement agents, resulting in the killing and wounding of civilians, and arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition supporters.
Witnesses included victims of arrests and torture, those who sustained wounds from gunshots and relatives of missing persons. However, the committee noted that the majority of the incidents, some of which resulted in death, were never documented or even investigated by the Human Rights Commission office in the area.
Godfrey Kiwuuwa, the chairperson of Kitaka cell in Nyendo ward, a registered voter at Market Triangle disputes polls results on the tally sheet, indicating that figures from his polling station were exchanged during the final tallying process hence giving President Museveni a false win.
Results from last month’s general election indicate that the NRM performed poorly in the Presidential and Parliamentary polls in the central region. Many of the incumbent MPs including ministers were defeated by rivals from the opposition.
Last month after the Electoral Commission declared the incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni winner of the presidential elections, protests broke out in Masaka.
Security personnel comprised of the military and police swung into action to stop the growing protests, and accordingly, dozens of people were arrested and four others shot dead.
Kiyimba had challenged the outcome of the January 14 Parliamentary polls stating that they were affected by numerical errors which cost him a well-deserved victory. According to the Electoral Commission, Kiyimba polled 6,684 votes, to finish the race behind the NUP candidate Twaha Kagabo who scored 8,883.
The controversy stems from the credentials one is required to present before being allowed to cast their ballot, something that led to the suspension of the whole process.
Janet Nassolo, a resident of Kibisi parish told Uganda Radio Network that many people took this year’s election as a fashion and failed to evaluate the candidates for the various leadership positions.
The Chief Magistrate, Charles Yeitesi, who had issued a vote recount order on Monday declined to continue with the exercise after it emerged that the seal on one of the ballot boxes delivered in court was broken.
The Masaka City Returning Officer, Sam Agaba Ruteba declared Steven Lukyamuzi the pioneer Mayor of Kimanya-Kabonera City division after polling 9,163 votes. His National Resistance Movement-NRM rival, Hamidu Bukenya came second with 4,308 votes followed by the Democratic Party candidate, Dick Muwanga with 1,830 votes, the Forum for Democratic Change-FDC candidate Jude Kalule garnered 143 votes and independent candidate, Raymond Ssebugwawo polled 93 votes.
