Things are turning from bad to worse for embattled former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya.
The High Court in Kampala has today cancelled Bukenya’s election as MP for Busiro North in the February 2011 elections.
Former Uganda Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya
Hussein Kasta Bukenya sued Prof Bukenya seeking court orders to annul Bukenya’s victory and order fresh elections. He accuses Prof. Bukenya of bribing voters with salt, sugar and soap in exchange for votes, which action he says was against the electoral laws. He also accuses the Electoral Commission of failing to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner as required by law.
High Court judge Vincent Kibuuka Musoke delivered his long awaited judgement on Wednesday afternoon declaring Bukenya’s elections null and void. He ordered the Electoral Commission to organize fresh elections and ensure they are held in a free and fair manner. The judge agreed that Bukenya bribed voters a claimed by Kasta in Ngondwe Kironde and Nakyansi among other areas.
The judge ordered Prof. Bukenya to pay all court costs of Kasta Bukenya in the suit that will be a hard slap on an already injured former vice President.
Bukenya who was remanded to Luzira prison on Monday has had hard times this year, after being dropped in the cabinet reshuffle that saw him lose his Vice Presidency position that he had held for eight years. Prof. Bukenya was remanded to Luzira prison after being committed to the High Court to face trial over accusations of abuse of funds and causing financial loss to government during the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting that Uganda hosted.
Prof. Bukenya was declared victor in the Februry elections with 17,382 votes, while Mr Kasta came second with 4, 953 in a race that attracted five other candidates.
It is not clear whether Bukenya or the Electoral Commission will appeal the judgement. Bukenya who was not present in court for the ruling was represented by his one of his lawyers, McDusman Kabega who informed court that Bukenya is sick and was unable to attend today’s court ruling.
Ultimate Media