Video: MoH MESSAGE ON CHILDREN & MATERNAL HEALTH
By Joel Mugabi
Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Judith Nabakooba is celebrating after High Court in Mubende nullified the election of her rival Joyce Bagala of the National Unity Platform (NUP) as Mityana Woman Member of Parliament.
In January 2021, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama’s Electoral Commission (EC) declared Bagala, a former NBS TV news manager, the duly elected Mityana District Woman MP after she defeated Minister Nabakooba, a former Uganda Police Force (UPF) Spokesperson. According to the results released by the EC, Bagala had beaten Nabakooba with a margin of over 16,000 votes.
But dissatisfied with the results from the poll, Nabakooba, of President Museveni’s NRM Party, had dragged Bagala to court, making several damning allegations against the EC and the NUP camp. For example, Nabakooba claimed that the EC and NUP candidate Bagala made it difficult for her supporters to go to polling stations to cast their ballots over security concerns. The Minister also told court that the EC looked on as NUP supporters and agents intimidated her supporters.
Minister Nabakooba further claimed that EC presiding officers had connived with Bagala’s agents to allow unregistered voters to cast ballots. She added that the NUP camp and the electoral body also connived to facilitate multiple voting in favour of Bagala, who eventually won the election with a huge margin.
She further told court that Bagala and her NUP agents and supporters connived with EC presiding officers to nullify thousands of her valid votes. The other allegations include: blocking of NRM supporters who had reportedly turned up at polling stations to vote Nabakooba as well as the issuance of ballot papers pre-ticked in favour of Bagala.
In her defence, Bagala said she was convinced the election that propelled her to the 11th Parliament was free and fair. She also revealed that she had rejected pressure and calls from some of her agents to use money to bribe voters.
On EC’s part, Mityana District Returning Officer Stephen Makubuya admitted that some declaration of results forms had been signed even before voting closed at a number of polling stations.
In the end, Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that Nabakooba had presented credible evidence to prove that there were acts of non-compliance such as voter bribery and multiple voting at different Polling stations such as 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 SS Campus, Kiyinda B (Nak-Z), Busimbi Railway (A-M) and Busimbi/Kasimbi (A-M).
Justice Baguma set aside Bagala’s election, ordered the EC to hold a by-election and awarded Nabakooba the costs of the petition.
Bagala has vowed to appeal Justice Baguma’s ruling, which Nabakooba said was God’s answer to her prayers. (For comments on this story, call, text or whatsapp us on 0705579994, 0779411734, 0200900416 or email us atmulengera2040@gmail.com).