MukiIbi Serunjogi, the Kiboga Resident District Commissioner, and the electoral commission have been ordered to pay 777 million shillings to the Kalungu East MP, Umar Lule Mawiya, in court damages.
The order was issued by David Batema, the acting high Court Registrar. The order stems from a suit filed by Mawiya in the high court, accusing the Electoral commission of endorsing the nomination of Sserunjogi to contest for the Kalungu East Parliamentary elections in 2006 without genuine academic qualifications.
Last year, Sempa Lugayizi, the High Court judge, ruled in favor of Mawiya and annulled Sserunjogi's nomination. He also ordered Mukiibi to pay the costs of the case. But instead Mukiibi appealed and lost the case both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Batema explains that the decision to ask for 777 million in court costs was reached during a meeting between Mawiya's pleaders led by Chris Bakiza. He says that the money will cover the costs incurred in payment and transportation of lawyers and accessing, feeding and accommodating the witnesses.
But Sserunjogi says he is ready to appeal against the costs on grounds that the amount charged is unfair. He said that he still has to pay costs worth 25 million shillings to the Supreme Court.
