Hundreds of Democratic Party supporters spent the night celebrating in Masaka town after winning two election petitions on Friday. The supporters stormed Ambiance Discotheque in Masaka causing confusion among revelers.
The celebrations started earlier in the day after Masaka High Court Judge, Owiny Dollo’s ruling which annulled the election of Muhammad Muyanja Mbabaali as Member of Parliament for Bukoto South. The judge declared Bukoto South parliamentary seat vacant on grounds that Mbabaali lacked the minimum academic qualifications to be a member of parliament.
Justice Dollo also dismissed an election petition in which NRM’s Iddi Lubyaayi sought to nullify the election of DP’s Deo Kiyingi as Bukomansimbi MP.
In March, DP secretary general Mathias Nsubuga who lost to Mbabaali in the February polls, petitioned court seeking the nullification of his rival’s election over lack of academic qualifications. The petitioner claimed that the ordinary level, advanced level, diploma and degree certificates Mbabaali presented at his nomination were forged documents.
Through his lawyer, Caleb Alaka, Nsubuga accused Mbabaali of forging certificates from the SIT International Business College and a diploma certificate from APAS College in Malaysia. Nsubuga also accused Mbabaali of illegally obtaining his degree certificate from Nkumba University.
In his 44-page ruling, Justice Owiny Dollo said he was satisfied with Nsubuga’s evidence to court. He explained that based on the affidavits provided by Nsubuga, witnesses from both witnesses and cross-examination of the witnesses, he found overwhelming evidence from Nsubuga’s submission that the certificates from Malaysian colleges SIT an APAS college were forged and therefore invalid.
Justice Dollo noted that he was satisfied by officials from National Council for Higher Education who submitted that Mbabaali’s alleged colleges were non existent.
As a result of the two election petition victories, DP supporters thronged the streets of Masaka singing and drinking. The supporters led by boda boda motorists, moved the entire Masaka and Nyendo town singing victory songs for DP almost throughout the night before storming Ambiance discotheque.
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Joseph Ssewungu, Member of Parliament for Kalungu West who led the celebrations, says Nsubuga and Kiyingi’s victories are big steps for DP to retain the seats. Ssewungu explained that the annulment of Mbabaali’s election for lacking academic papers should be an eye opener for parents to educate their children.
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Both MP Deo Kiyingi and Mathias Nsubuga say they are very happy with the court ruling. Nsubuga says he wants the electoral commission to immediately enforce the court order asking for fresh elections for Bukoto South.
Nsubuga also says he wants court to put a caveat on Mbabaali to stop him from contesting for the same position since he lacks academic papers.
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Although Mbabaali and Iddi Kisiki Lubyaayi are still silent about court ruling, NRM leaders in Masaka say the rulings have seriously affected the party.
Umar Sebulime, the Greater Masaka NRM chairman says they feel sad about losing the two election petitions. Sebulime explains that they at least expected Muyanja Mbabaali to win the petition because he convinced them during NRM primaries that he had academic qualifications.
