National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Daniel Kananura has attributed his loss in the Kira Municipality parliamentary election to the heavy deployment of military and security agencies on polling day. Appearing before the High court in Wakiso, Kananura claimed that the security presence intimidated some of his supporters, preventing them from casting their votes. He specifically mentioned Bweyogerere and Kireka parishes, areas where he expected significant support.
Kananura is challenging the election of opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) MP George Musisi. During the court hearing, Justice George Okello questioned the strength of Kananura's claim, noting that it may be difficult to establish that voters were scared away unless the affected voters themselves testify about the alleged intimidation. The judge's comments suggest that the court will scrutinize Kananura's allegations.
Patrick Wetaka, representing the Electoral Commission (EC), also challenged Kananura's argument, asking how Musisi's supporters managed to overcome the same alleged intimidation and turn out in large numbers. Kananura maintained that several irregularities denied him victory and asked the court to annul Musisi's election and order a fresh poll. He expressed confidence that he would win with 80% of the vote if another election were held.
Kananura further claimed that his election results were altered, citing discrepancies between the declaration of results forms in his possession and those gazetted by the EC. However, when asked to provide the number of votes he received, Kananura requested time to cross-check the forms. This development raises questions about the validity of his claims.
The lead lawyer for Musisi, Julius Galisonga, questioned Kananura about one of his polling agents, David Wasagani, who did not record any complaint on the declaration forms to support the claim that the results had been altered. Kananura did not provide an answer. He also told court that some of his agents returned unsigned declaration forms, while others carried names of people he claimed he had not appointed.
Kananura confirmed that he had deployed agents at all 314 polling stations in the constituency to protect his interests. He stated that he did not visit all the stations on election day but remained at Kira Primary School, where he voted. Additionally, he alleged that Musisi's campaign posters were distributed near Kirinya Church of Uganda and Namataba polling stations on polling day.
The hearing was briefly disrupted when one of Kananura's lawyers, Charles Allan Bukuwa, began asking questions that were not aligned with matters raised in the affidavits. Justice Okello guided the lawyer to confine his questions to the evidence already on record. Musisi's legal team informed court that they considered Kananura's witnesses unnecessary for cross-examination.
Key points
- Kananura cites military deployment as reason for his defeat in Kira Municipality MP election
- Kananura claims election results were altered, citing discrepancies in declaration forms
- Court hearing raises questions about validity of Kananura's allegations
