Former State Minister for Water and Mukono North parliamentary election petitioner Ronald Kibuule has laughed off complaints by his opponent, Abdula Kiwanuka, commonly known as Mulimamayuni, over supporters accompanying him to court.
The exchange occurred on Monday when the two parties appeared before High Court Judge Justice Godfrey Himbaza for the mention of the election petition in which Kibuule is challenging Kiwanuka’s victory in the Mukono North County parliamentary election.
Through his lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona, Kiwanuka raised concerns about a few supporters who had turned up at court in support of Kibuule, saying the proceedings should take place without them.
“We are peaceful, so we want a peaceful environment,” Ssegona told the court.
The complaint triggered laughter from Kibuule, who appeared unfazed by the concerns.
Kibuule told the court that, as the petitioner, there was no reason he should be prevented from attending the proceedings with his supporters, since it was their wish to turn up.
The former minister filed the petition challenging Kiwanuka’s victory, citing alleged electoral irregularities and other malpractices during the election. Among the remedies he is seeking is a recount of the votes cast in the constituency.
The petition will now proceed to a full hearing on Monday and Tuesday, when the parties are expected to present their evidence and witnesses before Justice Himbaza.
Meanwhile, another parliamentary election petition involving Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze and her challenger, Daisy Ssonko Nabatanzi, has also been scheduled for hearing before Justice Himbaza on Thursday.
Nabatanzi filed the petition challenging Nambooze’s victory in the Mukono Municipality parliamentary election, with the court expected to hear evidence from both sides.
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