NRM considers challenging Mwiru’s victory in court

Ms Lumumba (2nd R) flanked by Mr Nabeta (2nd L) and other NRM officials during the press conference.

What you need to know:

  • She urged NRM supporters to remain calm and maintain peace despite the provocation meted against them as they work towards challenging the ‘illegal practices exhibited by the Opposition in court

  • On polling day, some Opposition politicians accused NRM supporters of ballot stuffing

JINJA- Following its loss in the Jinja East Constituency by-election on Thursday, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) wants to challenge the victory of Mr Paul Mwiru of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Jinja Returning Officer, Mr Rogers Sserunjogi, declared Mr Mwiru winner with 6,654 votes against NRM’s Nathan Nabeta who got 5,034 votes.

Addressing a press conference at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja on Friday, the NRM Secretary General, Ms Justine Kasule Lumumba said the election was marred by malpractices notably multiple voting, voter bribery, voter intimidation among other acts of violence.

She said: “We are in possession of evidence of multiple voting of known members of the Opposition at various polling stations, voter bribery and intimidation - where known NRM supporters were warned of dire consequences should the NRM emerge victorious.”

She said “goons were stationed” at NRM supporters’ homes to deter them from accessing polling stations.

“This happened long before the elections started. We lodged a formal complaint at police and some [goons] were arrested while others have not yet been arrested to-date.’’

On violence, Ms Lumumba said: “For example, the chairman of the NRM taskforce was roughed up as he conducted his mandated roles on that (polling) day; then, there was the smashing of windscreens of the NRM buses by the Opposition.’’

Ms Lumumba said, the party hierarchy has instructed its lawyers to assess the evidence so far gathered and advice on appropriate course of action.

“I would like to remind the stakeholders that an election is not an event but a process where we all ought to respect the principle of the rule of law, democracy and electoral laws which were not respected in this regard,’’ she said.

She urged NRM supporters to remain calm and maintain peace despite the provocation meted against them as they work towards challenging the ‘illegal practices exhibited by the Opposition in court.

On polling day, some Opposition politicians accused NRM supporters of ballot stuffing.

They displayed ballot papers that were allegedly pre-ticked in favour of Mr Nabeta.

However, Ms Lumumba refuted the allegations describing them as ‘malicious propaganda of the Opposition’.

Following Mr Nabeta’s defeat, some political players are pointing to President Museveni’s illusion that a sick NRM MP is far better than an active one from the Opposition; Ms Lumumba was quick to say that president Museveni’s statement was misconstrued.

President Museveni, Ms Lumumba explained, meant that even if an active Opposition MP was elected, he or she would not access the NRM Caucus where discussions and key decisions are taken.

BACKGROUND

The by-election was prompted by the January nullification of Mr Nabeta’s 2016 election victory on grounds of falsification of results.

Mr Mwiru, in his submission, argued that Mr Nabeta connived with the Electoral Commission to alter results at Danida A-D polling station.

Mr Nabeta, immediately after casting his vote at Main Street Primary School on Thursday vowed to respect the outcome of the election. “This is the final Court,” he said. “Whatever it decides, is what I will go with.”