The High Court has dismissed an election petition challenging the elections of Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko.
On March 10, 2021, Bobi Wine’s brother Fred Nyanzi Sentamu filed an electoral petition against the Electoral Commission, the Returning Officer Kampala Central Ms. Doreen Musiime and Nsereko.
In her ruling, Justice Margaret Apinyi dismissed the petition on grounds that Nsereko was not served as the law stipulates.
Appearing before Court for a pre-hearing session, Nsereko’s lawyer Bernard Mutyaba told the presiding judge that his client is not aware of any petition filed against his victory.
Through his lawyers led by Justin Ssemuyaba, Nyanza wanted court to order for recounting of votes in the 50 polling stations gazetted Kampala Central. Nsereko is the only MP who won the election in Kampala with the rest being won by the National Unity Platform (NUP).
“There was noncompliance and failure to conduct a free and fair election, which substantially affected the results,” Nyanzi’s lawyer said. Nyanzi averred that the electoral process was marred with malpractices and alterations of results. He told the Court that his client’s agents were threatened and chased away from polling stations.
Nyanzi contended the Electoral Commission connived with Nsereko to alter and manipulate results recorded on many of the Declaration of Results Forms. He said that the electoral fraud denied him victory since 2,557 votes that cannot be accounted for. Nsereko was declared winner after garnering 16,998 votes as his closest opponent, Nyanzi polled 15,975 giving a difference of 1,022 votes.
