Tamwenya challenges Kibuku MP election victory in court

Charles Tamwenya, the defeated National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, is taking legal action to overturn the election results that declared Herbert Kinobere the winner of the Kibuku County parliamentary seat. Mr. Kinobere, an independent candidate, secured victory in the January 15 election with 14,522 votes against Mr. Tamwenya’s 12,869.

The petition, filed by Mr. Tamwenya, alleges that the election process was marred by intimidation, a lack of freedom and transparency, and numerous illegal practices. These alleged irregularities, according to the petitioner, occurred throughout the campaign, polling, counting, and tallying stages, ultimately compromising the integrity of the results.

Mr. Tamwenya further claims that electoral officials, including the returning officer for Kibuku and several presiding officers, committed offenses. He asserts that false records were created and that the final tally included results known to be unverified or altered, thereby manipulating the outcome.

Allegations of voter bribery are also central to the petition, with claims of money being distributed in various areas to influence voters in favor of Mr. Kinobere. These alleged acts are cited as evidence that voters in Kibuku County were denied a free and fair electoral process.

During a court session on September 21 in Mbale, presided over by Justice Issa Sserunkuma, parties agreed to focus on key issues for the upcoming hearing scheduled for October 1. The court has set strict time limits for cross-examination to ensure efficiency, with lawyers urged to concentrate on substantial matters.

The defense, represented by Geoffrey Kandebe, has dismissed the petition’s allegations as baseless and expressed confidence in Mr. Kinobere’s victory. Mr. Tamwenya’s legal team, however, maintains they possess substantial evidence to support their claims.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/tamwenya-seeks-to-overturn-kinobere-s-kibuku-mp-victory-5604148