The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The legal team of Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament Connie Nakayenze Ggaliwango has asked court to strike out the affidavits of three witnesses of her rival, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, who ignored the summons to appear for cross-examination.
This came after Wanyoto’s lawyer, Swabur Marzuk notified the High cCurt presided over by Justice Andrew Bashaija on Friday that the three including Haruna Wamboya, Ivan Nambale and Doreen Wanyeze werea no show.
On Wednesday, during the cross-examination of Wanyoto, Justice Andrew Bashaija asked the lawyers of both parties to call their witnesses to court on Friday for cross-examination.
However, on Friday, Nakayenze’s lawyers and those of the Electoral Commission said that only six of nine people who swore affidavits in favour of the petitioner had shown up.
Marzuk informed the court that they served the witnesses with the summons to appear on Friday but they indicated to him through a WhatsApp message that they were no longer interested in testifying in the petition.
He also revealed that the witnesses became very hostile when he served them with the summons, saying they will not make it to court.
As a result, Nakayenze’s lead lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona asked the court to strike the affidavits of the three witnesses from the court records.
Justice Bashaija said that he will make his ruling on whether or not to strike out the affidavits of the three witnesses in the next court seating.
Wanyoto ran to high court accusing Nakayenze of voter bribery, ballot stuffing and altering the final results of the January 14th, 2021 Parliamentary elections.
Nakayenze trounced Wanyoto after garnering 40,500 votes against 25,700 votes. The matter will return to court on Tuesday next week with the cross-examination of more witnesses.
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