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EC accused of sitting on petitions against 3 candidates
Briefing. The Electoral Commission chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama (left), with his deputy Ms Aisha Lubega, address journalists at the EC offices in Kampala recently. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
Daily Monitor understands that on November 12, EC sat and discussed three petitions against three candidates from western Uganda who are accused of lacking requisite qualifications and failure to resign ahead of nominations
The chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Justice Simon Byabakama, is on the spot for allegedly refusing to pronounce himself on the fate of three candidates who have been disqualified on various grounds.
Daily Monitor understands that on November 12, EC sat and discussed three petitions against three candidates from western Uganda who are accused of lacking requisite qualifications and failure to resign ahead of nominations.
The affected candidates are Ms Jastine Ayebazibwe, the Isingiro District NRM Woman Member of Parliament flag bearer; Ms Jovance Twinobusingye Rwenduru, the NRM flag bearer for Kiruhura District Woman MP seat, and Mr Robert Mugabe, the NRM flag bearer for the Kitagwenda District chairperson seat.
One of the three petitions filed on October 12 by Mr Kenneth Tumwebaze accuses Mr Mugabe of forgery of academic qualifications.
Mr Mugabe allegedly changed his name from Serapio Bikorwomuhangi in contravention of the laws of the country.
According to the petition, Mr Mugabe sat for Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in 1997 under the names of Serapio Bikorwomuhangi but never proceeded with further studies.
When the petitioner went to the Uganda National Examinations Board to verify, It was discovered that the PLE certificate was forged. Uneb has since summoned Mr Mugabe to defend his PLE certificate.
Mr Mugabe denied the claims and said he is ready to defend himself.
“If EC has made a decision to disqualify me, I will definitely appeal that decision because it is wrong decision,” he said, adding that the documents the petitioner presented were not his.
“The document these people presented to EC is not mine. I have my own PLE certificate, which I presented to the commission and, therefore, I am ready to defend myself...,” Mr Mugabe said.
The other two petitions against Ms Ayebazibwe and Ms Rwenduru were also discussed but EC has remained silent.
The petitioners alleged that Ms Ayebazibwe lacked qualifications for MP and that Ms Rwenduru did not resign before nomination as the law requires.
Ms Ayebazibwe and Ms Rwenduru were not available yesterday to comment as their known telephone numbers did not go through.
EC spokesperson Paul Bukenya yesterday confirmed the three petitions against the trio and explained that a decision had not been made. He defended the EC chairperson from any wrongdoing and asked the petitioners to be patient.
