Contesting Mukono South MP, Male Wilson has won an election petition in the Court of Appeal for the reinstatement of the case at the Mukono High Court of Uganda. The win comes after one and a half years since he first contested for the position during the 2021 general elections.
According to the court records, Mr. Male is arguing that he was cheated of a rightful win during the elections and that the current Mukono South MP, Kayondo Fred impersonated himself as the flag bearer of the National Unity Platform (NUP)and People Power Movement. He also argues that he, Mr. Kayondo, bribed voters hence commercializing the whole election process which is illegal according to the Constitution of Uganda.
The case was first filed at Mukono High Court where it was dismissed due to technicalities. An appeal was filed in October 2021 at the Court of Appeal where it was heard by Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera, Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, and Justice Irene Mulyagonja. In his appeal, Mr. Male argues that the trial judge at Mukono High Court, Olive Kazarwe Mukwaya errored in determining the judgment of the petition.
“Election petitions are very sensitive public interest cases where their merits must be determined first to resolve the conflict between the parties. So the judge erred in not determining the conflict between myself and Mr. Kayondo which I very well stipulated in my election petition at Mukono high court,” Mr. Male said.
At the Court of Appeal, the judges agreed that Judge Mukwaya erred in not determining the merits of the petition and thereafter ordered for its reinstatement to be determined on its merits by a different judge.
“I am grateful for the three judges who have given me a chance to reclaim my election victory both at the elections and at the Mukono High Court. I am confident that I am destined to win since my evidence is irrefutable,” Mr. Male Wilson said. “I thank NUP president, Mr. Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu, the Secretary-General Lewis David Rubongoya, and the whole leadership of my party for the support rendered to me during this process. I also thank the people of Mukono South who have stood with me during this process and I pray they keep their faith in me.”
Mr. Male thanked his lawyers of LMN and Company Advocates led by Counsel Musa Nakueira for the spirited fight he has exhibited and hoped they keep it up till the end.
A judge is yet to be assigned to the case and a date is to be set and communicated.