Opposition challenge Uganda election result

By Halima Athumani

KAMPALA, Uganda

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s win in the Feb. 18 presidential elections is being challenged in court.

Former premier Amama Mbabazi filed a petition Tuesday that “what was declared by the electoral commission is not the will of the voters”.

Lawyer Severino Twinobusingye, speaking to journalists outside the Supreme Court, said Mbabazi’s petition has been lodged on two major grounds, including the question of noncompliance by the country’s electoral commission.

They contend that the electoral body, led by Badru Kiggundu, organized what they described as: "A sham election which absolutely failed to meet the standards ordinarily expected of a presidential election both internationally and nationally."

Delays in distributing voting materials led to late polling in opposition strongholds, the claimants say.

"Our biggest complaint is that there was no tally center. Where was Kiggundu getting the results he was announcing?” Twinobusingye asked, calling on the courts to annul the result.

The petition also claims Museveni was involved in voter bribery: "In fact we do not need more than that, once it’s proved, an election is annulled there and then," Twinobusingye said.

The constitution provides for any petition to be filed within 10 days from the announcement of the final results.

Supreme Court Registrar Tom Chemutai told journalists: "The chief justice shall constitute a quorum of the Supreme Court to dispose of this petition within 30 days from today."

Uganda’s largest opposition party -- the Forum for Democratic Change -- fielded Kizza Besigye as a presidential candidate.

Besigye has been under house arrest since election day and party officials say he has thus been prevented from providing guidance and evidence.

A date for hearing shall be fixed within five days.