FDC Raises Red Flag Over Inconsistencies in Electoral Petition Rulings

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has raised serious concerns regarding the consistency and fairness of court rulings in parliamentary election disputes. According to the opposition party, differing judicial approaches in similar electoral cases risk undermining public confidence in both the Judiciary and the overall electoral process.

Speaking at a media briefing at the party headquarters in Kampala, FDC Vice Chairperson Robert Centenary pointed out what he described as a pattern of contradictory judgments. He specifically highlighted three election recount applications handled by Masaka Magistrate Herbert Asiimwe. While recount requests in Kalungu East and Kalungu West were declined after broken ballot box seals were discovered, a similar case involving the Masaka City Woman MP race proceeded despite damaged seals, ultimately resulting in a contested victory for Justine Nsubuga Nameere over Rose Nalubowa.

FDC also criticized an October ruling by the High Court in Kabale regarding its Bukimbiri candidate, James Owebeyi Mugyemano. The court dismissed Owebeyi’s petition after questioning his citizenship and locus standi, a decision the party argued unjustly prevented his case from being heard on its merits, especially since the Electoral Commission had previously cleared him to run multiple times. FDC announced plans to challenge this ruling in the Court of Appeal.

Beyond judicial inconsistencies, the party accused Electoral Commission returning officers of negligence or collusion, pointing to omissions of polling station results in areas like Gomba East. FDC is now calling on Parliament to implement urgent electoral reforms, including holding returning officers personally accountable for administrative errors and making them liable for the costs of resulting legal battles. The party urged the Judiciary to ensure uniform and impartial handling of all election petitions. Read more details on the Nile Post.