Nameere Withdraws Majority of Defense Witnesses in Election Petition

Justine Nameere, the State Minister for Local Government and Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament, has made a strategic decision to shrink her defense in an ongoing election petition case. Appearing before Justice Bernard Namanya at the Masaka High Court, Nameere, through her legal representatives, requested the court to dismiss five of the seven witnesses she had initially lined up to support her victory.

The witnesses who have been withdrawn include Ali Kateregga, Sadick Lubega, Fatumah Namiiro, Mark Kizza, and Emmanuel Kawesi. These individuals were intended to serve as polling agents and provide testimony regarding the controversial vote recount that ultimately led to Nameere being declared the winner.

Nameere, a candidate for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), secured victory following a recount that overturned the Electoral Commission’s initial results. The recount, ordered by Masaka Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe, saw National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Rose Nalubowa’s vote tally decrease, while Nameere’s increased, leading to her declaration as the winner.

Nalubowa has since challenged the recount and Nameere’s subsequent declaration in the High Court, alleging procedural irregularities. During the proceedings, Nameere testified and engaged in a heated exchange with Nalubowa’s lawyers, necessitating a brief suspension of the court. Following her testimony, Nameere’s legal team informed the court of their instruction to withdraw the remaining witnesses, deeming them no longer essential to the defense.

Another key witness, Enoch Kugoonza, the Electoral Commission’s principal legal officer, was questioned about his affidavit concerning the recount, despite not being present during the exercise. Kugoonza asserted that he was adequately briefed and confident that legal procedures were followed. The court has now directed all parties to file their closing submissions by October 12, after which further directions regarding the judgment will be issued.

Source: The Observer (Uganda)