Court Upholds LOP Joel Ssenyonyi’s Election, Orders EC to Pay Costs

The High Court in Kampala has officially upheld the election victory of Nakawa West Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi. Presiding Judge Allan Nshiimye threw out an election petition filed by political rival Ivan Bwowe, citing a failure to provide essential legal documentation during the proceedings.

Justice Nshiimye ruled in favor of Ssenyonyi after the petitioner failed to present the Uganda Gazette as evidence. The document was deemed crucial to legally verify the precise boundaries and the official name under which Ssenyonyi secured his parliamentary seat.

Despite dismissing the primary challenge against Ssenyonyi, the court delivered a notable twist by penalizing the Electoral Commission. Justice Nshiimye ordered the electoral body to shoulder the legal costs for both Ssenyonyi and Bwowe. The cost order stems from an administrative oversight by the commission, which nominated candidates under the description “Nakawa West” instead of the officially gazetted constituency name, “Nakawa Division West.”

Speaking to journalists after the favorable ruling, Ssenyonyi dismissed the legal challenge as an unnecessary drain on judicial time and resources. He further advised his opponent to take time to revisit fundamental legal principles following the court’s decisive outcome.

Read more about this ruling on the Daily Monitor.