THE ROLE OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN MOSES KASIBANTE CASE NEEDS RE-EXAMINATION

The question on my mind today is whether the Uganda taxpayer should meet the shs 200 million the Lawyers of Moses Kasibante are demanding over the Singh case. From the beginning when the Electoral Commission turned around Kasibante victory, their role became suspect. The staff responsible for this should foot the bill. Some people in Government take the taxpayer for granted. Kasibante got 20,054 votes while Singh 18,595, and Kasibante was declared winner for Lubaga North on 20th February 2011. What happened thereafter leading to Singh’s victory is a cause of concern. William Kituuka Kiwanuka Singh thrown out, Kasibante declared Rubaga MP By Vision Reporter

The court of appeal on Thursday upheld a high court ruling that threw out NRM’s Singh Katongle from Parliament and declared DP’s Moses Kasibante as the rightful MP for Rubaga north. The High Court ordered Singh to vacate the Parliamentary seat for Moses Kasibante who it ruled was the duly elected MP for Rubaga North. The court ruled that the purported vote recount which reversed Kasibante's victory was done illegally under suspicious circumstances. Kasibante was declared winner of the Rubaga North poll on February 20, 2011 by the Electoral Commission with 24,054, against Katongole's 18,595 votes. Seven other candidates took part in the race. However, after the disputed recount ordered by then Mengo Chief Magistrate Phillip Odochi, the result was reversed giving Singh victory with 24,802 votes, and Kasibante second with 22,850 votes. Following this, Kasibante successfully petitioned the High Court to declare the recount and its results illegal. Booted Singh petitions Supreme Court Publish Date: May 08, 2012

NRM’s Singh Kantongole said on Monday 7th May 2012, he was set to petition the Supreme Court over last week’s Court of Appeal ruling which threw him out of Parliament. The court of appeal on Thursday upheld a High Court ruling that nullified his election as an MP and declared DP’s Moses Kasibante as the rightful MP for Rubaga north. Singh has however insisted that its his constitutional right to appeal the verdict which he says was unfair to him and to those who voted for him. The High Court ordered Singh to vacate the Parliamentary seat for Moses Kasibante who it ruled was the duly elected MP for Rubaga North. The Court ruled that the purported vote recount which reversed Kasibante's victory was done illegally under suspicious circumstances. Kasibante was declared winner of the Rubaga North poll on February 20, 2011 by the Electoral Commission with 24,054, against Katongole's 18,595 votes. Seven other candidates took part in the race. However, after the disputed recount ordered by then Mengo Chief Magistrate Phillip Odochi, the result was reversed giving Singh victory with 24,802 votes, and Kasibante second with 22,850 votes. Following this, Kasibante successfully petitioned the High Court to declare the recount and its results illegal.