The Ugandan opposition leader and former presidential candidate, Bobi Wine, has threatened to withdraw an election petition against President Yoweri Museveni, citing “bias” and “frustration” from the Supreme Court.
The country’s Supreme Court had, on Tuesday, rejected additional evidence in over 120 affidavits sworn by senior members of Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party and close friends in support of the petition. Providing its reason for dismissal, the Court noted that the evidence was filed a day late. The Court had earlier given a deadline of February 14 for the filing of evidence pertaining to the presidential election.
Reacting to the Court’s decision, Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, spoke to members of the press in Kampala on Tuesday, flanked by senior party leaders. In his statement, the musician turned activist and politician said that if such frustrations from the Court persist, they (the party) will be forced to withdraw the petition.
“We have been collecting evidence and more is still coming in but the Supreme Court has rejected 250 affidavits we filed yesterday (February 15) much as hearing of the petition hasn’t started. We want to put the Supreme Court on notice that if this persists, we are not going to be part of that mockery, the next step is to take the matter to the public court,” he said.
The court’s recent rejection of new evidence from the Mr Kyagulanyi camp is the second blow to them since they filed the petition following the controversial polls. Last week, the court dismissed Wine’s application to amend the suit and include new grounds.
Obvious Bias
Accusing the Court of bias, Wine also asked for the composition of the Court to be changed. Of the nine judges chosen to hear the petition, the applicant wants three of them to recuse themselves from the hearing, arguing that they have close ties with President Museveni who is the first respondent to the petition.
In his statement, Wine mentioned the Ugandan Chief Justice, Alphonso Owinyi-Dollo, who was on Museveni’s defence team during the hearing of the 2006 electoral petition filed against Museveni’s win by former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye. He also named Mike Chibita who was Museveni’s private secretary for seven years and Ezekiel Muhanguzi, a relative of Security Minister Elly Tumwine.
The Ugandan Electoral Commission announced Museveni winner of the January 14, 2021 election with 58.64 per cent of the vote. Kyagulanyi came second with 34.83 per cent. However, Wine continues to urge the Court to annul the elections and order fresh elections.
