In the Supreme court yesterday, the nine justices rejected a request for a presidential vote recount by lawyers representing Amama Mbabazi in the petition challenging the results of the February 18 presidential election. The request, which can still be entertained in the course of the main hearing, sought to compel the Electoral Commission to recount votes in 45 districts, before the petition is heard. “The law doesn’t give vote recount as a preliminary relief…” said Bart Katureebe, the chief justice and head of the nine-panel judge.
Some of the districts where Mbabazi demanded a recount citing widespread electoral fraud include: Kampala, Wakiso, Jinja, Kiruhura, Sembabule, Bundibugyo, Bukomansimbi, Sheema, Arua, Amuria, Kasese, Gulu, Lamwo, Lira, Kisoro, Arua, Apac, Moroto, Mpigi, Ntungamo, Pallisa, Rukungiri, Nakasongola, Kabale, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Sironko, Kanungu, Kalungu, Isingiro, Rakai, Kaabong, Nakaseke, Amuru, Gomba, Kyankwanizi, Butambala, Rubirizi, Buhweju, Kween, Soroti, Luweero, Mubende and Serere.
The ruling was a psychological boost and a major relief for lawyers representing the Electoral Commission and President Museveni, who had vehemently opposed the request. For Mbabazi’s lawyers, the ruling peaked a bad day at office, considering that earlier they had come under sharp criticism from Katureebe over the way they had handled some of the aspects of the petition.
Full Article: Uganda: Court Rejects Vote Recount – allAfrica.com.