Ssematimba still MP, court rules

Peter Ssematimba

A sigh of relief for Busiro South MP Peter Ssematimba after Court of Appeal on Monday upheld his election as Busiro South MP.

A panel of three judges led by outgoing deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma overturned a decision by the High Court judge, Lydia Mugambe who had ruled that Ssematimba's certificate of A-Level equivalence which he used for his nomination for MP was invalid because the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) did not verify the authenticity of his diploma in Electronic and Computer Technology before approving his academic qualifications.

MP Peter Ssematimba's competitor, Mr Stephen Ssekigozi (left) together with Mr Paul Mwiru (right) attentively listen as the judgment was being read. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI


Justice Mugambe had ruled that there was no evidence that Mr Ssematimba who belongs to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) attended Asuza College and obtained the diploma he alleges.
Justice Mugambe had also ordered NCHE to pay costs of the suit to Mr Ssematimba's political rival Stephen Ssekigozi who had petitioned court.

However, the Nakasero based Court of Appeal ruled that the High Court was wrong to cancel Mr Ssematimba's certificate of equivalence issued by NCHE.