This time round Rose Tumusiime’s father Robert Bikaako, Uncle Chris Kahirita, Sisters, brothers, relatives, friends, several NRM Supporters and all her beloved children accompanied her to the High court located at Twed Towers in Kampala to witness history unfold in her favour. As everyone was anxiously waiting for Judge Henry Kaweesa to arrive, one would quickly notice that of all Rose Tumusiime’s children who were present in court, only Doreen Tashobya was missing. Doreen Tashobya who perished in a road accident close to two weeks ago with Patrick Businge a foster child to Rose Tumusiime had been keenly following the court proceedings and though they are no longer with us, their dream finally came true when on Friday July 8, Justice Henry Kaweesa quashed and dismissed with costs Michael Kakembo Mbwatekamwa’s petition that he filed in the High Court accusing Rose Tumusiime (NRM) and the Electoral Commission of rigging in the February 18 Parliamentary Elections.
Justice Henry Kaweesa arrived in the court room a few minutes to midday and immediately embarked on reading out his Judgment to a court that was filled to capacity with both Rose Tumusiime and Michael Kakembo’s supporters seated on either side for close two and half hours attentively listening to his judgment.
Kakembo in his petition accused Rose Tumusiime and Electoral Commission officials of ballot stuffing, unlawful cancellation of results Kigungu Polling Station (O-Z), and inflating voter’s register in Banga polling station (A-M) from 780 voters to 1029 voters and voter bribery. Kakembo in his petition also alleged that security organs specifically the military personnel disenfranchised his voters at several polling stations claiming that they were beaten and denied to vote.
In his Judgment, Justice Kaweesa concurred with Sarah Bukirwa the Wakiso District returning officer who in her affidavit categorically stated that in Banga polling Station the actual registered voters were 1029 voters and not 870 voters as had been pointed out in the petition. In the affidavit, Sarah Bukirwa indicated that the final voter’s register of 1029 voters was delivered on polling day adding that Kakembo’s register that he presented in the petition was old and had been issued during the updating exercise way back in August 2015. Again in her affidavit, Justice Kaweesa concurred with Sarah Bukirwa who lawfully canceled results of all the 13 candidates in Kigungu polling Station (O-Z) that totaled up to 379 votes. Justice Kaweesa indicated that even if all the 379 votes cast were to be awarded to the petitioner (Kakembo) still the first respondent (Rose Tumusiime) would still emerge the winner.
On the point of voter intimidation by security agencies, the Entebbe Municipality District Police Commander Godfrey Ninsiima in his affidavit categorically stated that the Presidential and Parliamentary elections conducted on the February 18, 2016 were peaceful and no voter was chased away from any polling station.
Justice Henry Kaweesa summed up Michael Kakembo’s petition and 79 affidavits as fake, filled with so many forgeries, based on rumors and hear say and were all defective. Justice Kaweesa pointed out that he rejected many of the petitioner’s (Kakembo) affidavits because they were forged, had similar signatures and handwritings word for word. He said that Kakembo filed cosmetic affidavits which were largely a copy and paste work with so many errors.
Shortly after Justice Kaweesa had dismissed the case, Rose Tumusiime broke down in tears and could only be comforted by her children and family. In her remarks she thanked each and everyone who has stood with her during the court proceedings and during her time of grief when her beloved Children Doreen Tashobya and Patrick Businge who perished two weeks ago in a road accident. True to her Godly character, Rose Tumusiime quickly forgave all those who said all sorts of things when Doreen Tashobya and Patrick Businge perished in a road accident.
“God doesn’t take bribes. He has proved all my enemies wrong. He has wiped my tears away. To those who said all sorts of things when I lost my children, I forgive them. The time for politicking is over let us all put our differences aside and work towards developing Entebbe” She told her supporters.
Meanwhile the Entebbe Municipality DP Publicist Maggwa Ssali said that Democratic Party will in the next few days appeal the High court’s decision because according to them Justice Henry Kaweesa was totally biased in his Judgment.
After the Judgment Michael Kakembo’s lawyer Elias Lukwago quickly dashed to his car and sped off while Rose Tumusiime’s Lawyer Thomas Ocaya received endless hugs.
