Lawyers representing former National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Rose Nalubowa have announced plans to appeal the High Court judgment that upheld State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere as the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament.
Speaking to journalists after receiving the verdict delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, Nalubowa’s legal team—comprising Samuel Mulindwa Muyizi and Alexander Lule—stated they received explicit instructions to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
While Justice Namanya acknowledged that the initial vote recount violated electoral laws due to compromised electoral materials and damaged ballot boxes while in the Electoral Commission’s custody, he ultimately dismissed the petition. The judge ruled that the irregularities did not substantially affect the final outcome, noting that Nameere’s winning margin surpassed the excluded votes from nine affected polling stations.
However, Lule argued that upholding the results despite verified legal violations sets a concerning precedent for the administration of electoral justice. Meanwhile, Muyizi indicated that the upcoming appeal will challenge what they view as a flawed interpretation of electoral law, while also addressing reported outside pressures and intimidation faced by lawyers handling election petitions.
On the opposing side, Sam Ssekyewa, counsel for Nameere, maintained that his team is fully prepared to defend the minister’s victory before the appellate court, expressing confidence in the soundness of the High Court’s legal principles.
