The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Chairperson Eng Badru Kiggundu has this morning been cross-examined by Muhammad Mbabazi, the lead counsel for petitioner John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, who is challenging the declaration of Yoweri Museveni as the winner of the recently-held presidential elections.

Eng Kiggundu had earlier taken oath before the nine judges of the Supreme Court, pledging to say ‘the truth, nothing but the truth’ in court.

Counsel Mbabazi then led him through a raft of questions including the management of the 2016 elections in relation to tallying; the Biometric Voter Verifying Machine (BVVM) kit and how it was operated and the electronic transmission of results, among many other issues.

“Are the Declaration (DR) forms and tally sheets you gave us the ones you used on the day you declared results?” Counsel Mbabazi started off, to which the IEC boss responded in the affirmative.

“Can you give us a list of the polling stations that you based on for provisional results?” Counsel Mbabazi probed further and in response Eng Kiggundu said: “I don’t have them off head but I can avail them.”

Meanwhile, the law dons who had prayed to court to join the petition as Amicus Curiae, have been accepted.

“We are satisfied that the applicants raise relevant points of law and will benefit court in the hearing,” Lady Justice Ekirikubinza Tibatemwa read on behalf of the judges, but cautioned them to stick to their stated objective.

However, in a ruling read by Lady Justice Stella Arach Amoko, the coram rejected a similar application by the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on grounds of the applicants’ competencies in relation to their prayer before court.

“CSOs have not met the requirements to be admitted as Amicus,” Lady Justice Arach ruled.

In a related development, the judges have said the court will now hear the proceedings expeditiously for 16 days, from 9.30am to 6.30pm daily.

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The Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana has this morning taken a swipe at the media, saying the latter is not respecting the subjudice rule in the ongoing hearing of the 2016 presidential election petition.

Mr Rukutana, who is representing the President Yoweri Museveni in the petition that was filed by former aspirant John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, said the media should ‘report objectively and inform the public well’.

He further said media coverage of petition is designed to arouse anxiety and create a gloomy picture on the likely outcome of proceedings.

He cited a story in one of the dailies that was headlined ‘Mbabazi wins round one’ as one of the misleading stories. Rukutana also pointed to an article by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice George Wilson Kanyeihamba that appeared in the Sunday Monitor of yesterday titled ‘Ghosts of previous election petitions may haunt Supreme Court in 2016’ as another case of the disrespect of the subjudice rule.

In response Chief Justice Bart Magunda Katureebe said the media was only allowed in order to tell the public the truth.

“It is wrong to try and distort and spin,” the CJ added

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Kasese attackers want secession-Minister

Internal Affairs Minister Rose Akol has said what happened in Kasese is the silent agitation for a creation of Yiira republic.

While address the press conference today, Akol, said investigations are being carried out and government appeals to the people of Kasese in particular and the entire population to remain calm.

“We are aware that some of the attackers harbor sectarian tendencies and are thus a threat to the community.  Some of the community members have already given very vital information to the Police regarding this” reads the statement.

Adding “Government is aware that some of these attackers are part of the bigger group that believes in the selfish reason to break away and form the so called ‘Yiira Republic”

Below is the Minister’s statement

On Thursday, 10th March 2016, soldiers on duty were attacked in Hima, Kasese by certain criminals who were armed with machetes, knives and other crude weapons. Two of the attackers were shot dead.

Their motive is yet to be established. Government has increased security presence and is conducting deep investigations.
On Friday evening while trying to establish an operational base, Commissioner of Police Jacob Opolot who is the Commander of Field Force Police in the region was also attacked sustaining a broken leg. His bodyguard-One SPC Mbusa Joel was stabbed in the head, chest and back and his gun taken. SPC Joel is in very critical situation and is still in hospital. His gun has since been recovered.

Other officers injured include CPL Rwotsongeyo Robert, CPL Otobe Robert, and CPL Sentongo Moses. Four (4) soldiers of the UPDF who were re enforcing were also wounded in the attack and are steadily recovering. Five (5) of the attackers were put out of action.

We are aware that some of the attackers harbor sectarian tendencies and are thus a threat to the community.  Some of the community members have already given very vital information to the Police regarding this.

Government is aware that some of these attackers are part of the bigger group that believes in the selfish reason to break away and form the so called ‘Yiira Republic’.  As H.E the President has reminded some of the leaders in Kasese only as recently as Thursday, the constitution of Uganda guarantees all Ugandans to enjoy their rights and outlaws sectarian.  Uganda is one Country with freedoms of association and belonging, and these are rights that are bestowed upon Ugandans by the Supreme Constitution.

As more investigations are being carried out, Government appeals to the people of Kasese in particular and the entire population to remain calm.  The Inspector General of Police is already in the area to assess the situation and more information will be given in due course. We appeal to any body with Information to give it to the security personnel on the ground.

However, any citizen who acts in a manner contrary to the established laws will be dealt with.

Government will give updated information on this and on any further actions.

Rose Akol
Minister for Internal Affairs

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