The High Court in Rukungiri has set September 24 for the hearing of an election petition challenging the victory of Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi in the Kinkizi East parliamentary election, Kanungu District.
The petition was filed by his rival, the former Kanungu District LCV chairperson Sam Arineitwe Kajojo, who alleges voter bribery, interference with his polling agents and irregularities in the tallying process in the recent Parliamentary election. Justice Richard Wabwire Wejuli adjourned the matter after directing Kajojo to file an additional affidavit within two days. Dr Baryomunsi, the respondent, was given four days to file his response.
The Electoral Commission is also listed as a respondent. Kajojo, who contested the election as an independent candidate, wants the court to nullify Dr Baryomunsi’s election, arguing that the alleged irregularities affected the outcome.
Among the issues raised in the petition are alleged discrepancies between the number of registered voters and votes recorded at some polling stations.
Kajojo’s lawyer, Ngaruye Ruhindi of Ngaruye Ruhindi & Co Advocates, confirmed the adjournment and said the legal team would comply with the timelines issued by the court.
However, Dr Baryomunsi’s lawyer, Mwesigwa Rukutana of Mwesigwa Rukutana & Co Advocates, dismissed the allegations as misconceived.
Dr Baryomunsi also dismissed the petition, saying he was confident his victory was legitimate and that his legal team was prepared to respond to the allegations.
Briefing journalists shortly after adjournment, Dr Baryomunsi said his political contest with Kajojo began during the NRM primaries, where he emerged victorious. He said Kajojo later challenged the primary results before the NRM tribunal but lost, before contesting against him as an independent candidate in the general election.
He expressed confidence that his lawyers will do what it takes to win the case. Dr Baryomunsi was declared winner of the Kinkizi East parliamentary seat with 23,830 votes against Kajojo’s 20,739.
