The High Court in Mubende has nullified the election of Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa of the National Unity Platform (NUP) as the Women’s Representative for Mityana District.
This followed a petition by Judith Nabakooba, the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, who came second in the election with 48,078 votes.
In his ruling, Justice Emmanuel Baguma, noted that there was credible evidence in the petition that proved Bagala, through her agents, with her knowledge and consent or approval bribed voters.
Justice Baguma, also noted that there was credible evidence of multiple voting during the January 14 elections.
“Court finds that there were acts of non-compliance in different Polling stations in particular, at; King Faisal (ND-Z), Kiyinda A (A-M), Kiganwa Primary School, Kawoko Playground, Mityana A Kanamba, Busimbi Gombolola area (A Nak), Nandegejja, Primary School, Comprehensive S.S Campus, Kiyinda B (Nak z), Busimbi Railway (A-M) and Busimbi/Kasimbi (A-M) at Merryland Polling stations which stood out in non-compliance,” he said.
Justice Baguma ruled, “court makes the following Orders, the election of the second respondent (Bagala) as Woman Member of Parliament for Mityana District Constituency is set aside, a by-election is ordered to be held in Mityana District Constituency for the Woman Member of Parliament and the Petitioner is awarded the costs of this petition.”
However, Bagala vowed to appeal against the judgement, saying she will not allow her victory to be ‘robbed’.
In her petition, Nabakooba accused the Electoral Commission (EC) and Bagala (respondents) of conspiring to steal her victory in the recently concluded General elections.
The Mityana District Returning officer, Stephen Makubuya on January 15 declared Bagala as the winner of the race after she got 64,305 votes.
In her petition, Nabakooba accused accused Bagala of bribery, and using security operatives to intimidate her voters.
Nabakooba alleged that Bagala was seen on the Election Day (January 14, 2021) bribing voters with money.
she also told court that the electoral commission officials failed to do their job thereby denying her victory.
Nabakooba, accused the presiding officers for conniving with Bagala’s agents to alter Declaration Results forms which also denied her victory.