Africa Press- Posted by:
Faridah N Kulumba
Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine held a press conference and explained why he petitioned the Supreme Court against electoral fraud even when he knows that he will not receive a fair judgement.
Bobi Wine also leader of National Unity Platform still insists that he was robbed of his victory during the 14th January elections which he says was full ballot stuffing, violence and other malpractices amidst internet shutdown.
After declining the results which was announced by the Uganda Electoral Commission on the 16th January 2021, where the incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa was declared a winner with 58.64 percent against Bobi with 34.85 percent.
Through his lawyers led by Medard Lubega Ssegona, Kyagulanyi decided to show his discontent by filling his petition to the Supreme Court even though he has openly expressed pessimism on account that Supreme Court judges are appointed by his opponent president Yoweri Museveni.
But why going to court where he has no hope?
In his address while at his home in Magere, Bobi wine said that they went to court to test the judiciary as they participated in the elections to test the electoral commission who failed the test but now the world is watching.
” Even though it is clear that our courts of law have been showing compromise, it is important to put our judiciary at a test, even when we know that the general Museveni has historically intimidated the judiciary.”said Bobi Wine.
He adds that his party National Unity Platform deciding to petition the Supreme Court of Uganda is to show that they are still standing strong and rejecting the fake results, in every legal and none violent manner.
“We are taking general Museveni to court, we are taking National Resistance Movement to court, not that our hope is in the courts of law, but our hope is in the people of Uganda, people power our power.” Bobi ended chanting his party slogan.
Do all Ugandans agree with Kyagulanyi?
Of course not all Ugandans agreed with Bobi’s going to court as he revealed that many Uganda’s most especially from other opposition parties argued that the courts of law are for long time compromised with the ruling party during the last three election petitions.
In 2001 and 2006 candidate Kizza Besigye challenged president Museveni but the Supreme Court judged in favour of Museveni. The third time was 2016 when candidate Amama Mbabazi challenged the results but the court again gave their judgement in favour of President Museveni.
But supporters of Bobi wine party NUP said that they are behind their candidate’s decision as the party spokesman Joy Ssenyonyi told our AFP reporter. “Our president was not declared winner but we are striving to see it happen, and one of the step we have taken is to go to court.” Said Mr Ssenyonyi.
Will Bobi Wine’s legal team be able to produce substantial evidence to support the petition?
Kyagulanyi’s lead lawyer Ssegona said that they raised 26 ground against president Museveni. He said that they have proof of videos from across the country where soldiers invaded poling stations with pre-ticked ballots which they stuffed in the boxes. And that backed their evidence in different places where it can retrieved by the NRM.
In the petition they asked court to cancel the 2021 election and order for a fresh one without Tibuhaburwa participating in it. They also wanted the army ordered not to interfere in any election exercise. If court rules in their favour. According to constitution, Supreme Court has now 40 days to give its judgement.
