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Court tells Latigo, rival to reconcile
Agago North MP Moris Ogenga Latigo (Left) and the former area MP John Amos Okot.
What you need to know:
Conditions. While the judge advised both parties to negotiate a way out, they each demanded conditions first.
Gulu. The High Court in Gulu District has advised former Agago North MP John Amos Okot and current MP Moris Ogenga Latigo to settle their case out of court.
Mr Okot petitioned court challenging Prof Latigo’s election for alleged rigging.
Prof Latigo, who stood on FDC ticket, received 14,079 votes against 10,420 votes for Mr Okot (NRM).
The presiding judge, Justice David Matovu, on Wednesday said some of the issues presented before him were matters that could be settled amicably.
“Why don’t you sit down and agree that in the next election, I will leave the way for you. It is just five years, I need both of you to think about this,” Justice Matovu advised both parties.
Speaking to Saturday Monitor on Wednesday, Mr Okot said he had no problem with reconciling if Prof Latigo apologised to him.
“There are other issues that are still coming up that are yet to be filed in court,” he said.
However, Prof Latigo asked Mr Okot’s lawyers to advise him to withdraw the petition first.
“If Okot feels he wants to talk to me and we settle the matter, well and good. I am ready, but if he chooses court, court will prove who is wrong and right,” Prof Latigo said. Court set June 5 for hearing of the petition.
In a similar case, Justice Matovu is hearing an election petition by Mr Nabinson Kidega against Aruu North MP Lucy Achiro in which he advised the duo on Thursday to try mediation to resolve the dispute in order to avoid the burden of legal costs.
Mr Kidega (NRM) in the February 18 parliamentary elections, lost to independent candidate Ms Achiro by only two votes. He garnered 8,597 votes against Achiro’s 8,599 votes.
Justice Matovu adjourned the petition to May 24.
