FDC reject Busongora South by-election results, contemplate never taking part in future polls

Amuriat says the party’s top leadership will soon convene a meeting to decide whether to participate in future elections or not.

The party is also considering not challenging the results of Thursday’s by-elections because as it has little faith in the courts.

Disputed results

On Thursday, the Kasese district returning officer, Ismail Atwijukire Takih, declared Gideon Mujungu of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) winner of the by-election.

He polled 12,088 votes to defeat his closest rival Jackson Mbaju of the National Unity Platform who rustled up 6,866 votes. FDC’s candidate Aloysius Kighema Baguma came third with 5,564 votes, Benadet Businge of the Democratic Party (DP) snagged 84 votes, independent candidate David Mulindwa Isimwa garnered 2,093 votes while Doreen Izaagire polled 32 votes.

Amuriat questioned the validity of the election results, citing irregularities as he described the Busongora by-election as a military operation instead of an election.

He pointed out that the by-election was characterised by the violent arrest of the FDC candidate, widespread malpractices and voter bribery thereby nullifying the opposition’s belief in the possibility of a free and fair election in Uganda under President Yoweri Museveni.

Robert Centenary, the FDC mobiliser, said the Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama and his commissioners were part of this fraudulent exercise in futility otherwise known as an election.

The Kasese FDC chairperson, Saulo Maate, said that the party has overwhelming evidence of vote bribery but may not take the matter any further as it has lost faith in the courts as well as the possibility of a free and fair election.