Musasizi vs Biryabarema: Rubanda East election results cancellation explained

Ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Elections Tribunal has annulled results of Rubanda East parliamentary primary.

Although incumbent MP Henry Musasizi had been declared winner, his opponent Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema had petitioned the Dr Fred Tanga Odoi’s Electoral Commission and Enock Barata’s Elections Dispute Tribunal challenging the results.

Biryabarema has been the Rubanda District Chairman.

Initial results declared on September 05 had indicated that Musasizi won after garnering 23,330 votes, against Biryabarema’s 22,412 votes.    

BIRYABAREMA’S PETITION

The district boss alleges that Musasizi connived with NRM district registrar Aggrey Monday to rig him out.

He also names Rubanda NRM administrator Dezi Christmas and a one Gaudioza Kabondo of closely working with Monday to rob him of his victory.

Biryabarema further alleges that district polling officials had looked on as Musasizi smuggled unverified declaration of results forms into the tallying centre, which results were considered.

He also questioned the authenticity of polling materials after it emerged that Monday, the district registrar, had transported them to sub-counties using Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira’s car.

Akampurira is the Rubanda District Woman MP and was a candidate in the NRM primaries.

Had it not been for the rigging, Biryabarema claimed, he had won with 51 per cent according to a parallel tally by his agents across the constituency.

Tasked to defend himself, Musasizi also accused Biryabarema’s camp of engaging in electoral malpractice, including ensuring that his supporters were denied a chance to line up behind his agent.

Musasizi told the Barata Tribunal that Musasizi argued that his supporters in some of Bubaare sub-county’s polling stations were harassed by his opponent’s voters.

ENOCK BARATA NRM ELECTIONS TRIBUNAL RULING

The tribunal has now ruled that a recount be conducted in 16 polling stations whose results are in dispute.

The fresh tally will be conducted in Rwamate, Butaturwa, Rukinda, Kamusya B, Bwisa and Kitojo, among other polling areas.

Agents of both camps have been tasked to attend the recount exercise.

VIOLENCE

Ahead of the tribunal’s announcement, violence erupted in Bubaare Sub County and Hamuhambo Town Council.

Here, Biryabarema’s supporters expressed their disappointment with the Tanga Odoi Commission and Barata’s Tribunal for delaying their decision on the election petition.

Protesters had planned to march to Rubanda District Headquarters in protest. But they were dispersed by police and the army after blocking Muchahi Trading Centre road.

Results are expected after the end of the recount.