Court to Rule on Tororo MP Election Petition October 30

The High Court in Tororo is preparing to deliver its judgment on a petition challenging the election of Tororo Municipality Member of Parliament, Shyam Jay Tana. The court has officially set October 30 as the date for the ruling.

The petition was lodged by Yeri Apollo Ofwono, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, who is seeking to have Mr. Tana’s election invalidated. Mr. Ofwono contends that the election was marred by significant violence, intimidation of voters, arrests of his supporters, and irregularities in the tabulation of results.

During recent court sessions on September 29 and October 1, the presiding judge, Rosemary Bareebe Ngabirano, outlined a schedule for the legal arguments. Lawyers representing Mr. Ofwono were instructed to submit their final arguments by October 8. Subsequently, the respondents, including Mr. Tana and the Electoral Commission, are expected to file their responses by October 19, with rejoinders due by October 23.

Justice Bareebe also emphasized the need for both legal teams to identify and present any evidence they deem superfluous before the court proceeds to its decision. Mr. Tana, represented by lead lawyer Alfred Okello Oryem, has formally denied all allegations, asserting that the petition is baseless and should be dismissed.

The respondents’ legal team argues that the petition is procedurally flawed and that any alleged irregularities, even if proven, did not substantially impact the election’s final outcome, particularly given the margin of victory. Mr. Tana secured 5,781 votes compared to Mr. Ofwono’s 4,829 votes in the January 15 elections.

The court will now review all submitted arguments and evidence before rendering its final decision on the election petition.

This story was first reported by the Daily Monitor.