By Peterson Luzinda
The High Court has dismissed Ivan Bwowe’s petition, clearing Joel Ssenyonyi and six other candidates to remain on the Nakawa West parliamentary ballot, upholding the will of the voters
Justice Collins Acellam in a ruling delivered on Thursday ruled that Ivan Bwowe’s petition was an audacious attempt by Bwowe to sneak to parliament to represent a group of people whose mandate he has not obtained.
“To allow the appeal this Court will be denying the voters of Nakawa Division West Constituency the opportunity of choosing their representative to parliament” he said.
Also Read: Sarah Remanded Over Alleged Unlawful Access to Voter Data
Justice Acellam noted that allowing the petition to proceed for the reasons advanced by Bwowe would have the effect of imposing on the voters of Nakawa West, Ivan Bwowe as their representative.
“Elective democracy requires that anyone seeking political office subjects himself/herself to the will of the electorate. A proper mandate is through the ballot box. This ensures that the people express their will, and this court cannot be seen to subvert the will of the people” Justice Acellam said.
Justice Acellam further noted that he agreed with the defence counsel for the Respondents that the “Nakawa West” Constituency and “Nakawa Division West Constituency” are one and the same but often used interchangeably.
“It is also my observation that on page 27 of the Electronic file of the Petition, Form ND/UO, the Petitioner just like all candidates was also declared as a nominated directly elected member of parliament candidate to represent “Nakawa West” constituency” A constituency he claims does not exist” he said.
Justice Acellam noted that Bwowe didn’t raise the said “anomaly” to the commission or to court since it would mean that he would also not be nominated for Nakawa Division West constituency as he alleged.
“This Petition has not succeeded for the reasons explained above. The only remedy is to have it dismissed. It is accordingly dismissed. The Electoral Commission’s decision is upheld” Justice Acellam ruled. He further ordered each party to meet their own costs.
In celebration of the court’s ruling, the National Unity Platform (NUP) spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi quoted the Bible in victory.
“Jeremiah 1: 19; They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you” Joel Ssenyonyi posted on his X account.
The ruling brings to a close a legal challenge that sought to nullify the nominations of several candidates contesting for the Nakawa Division West parliamentary seat.
Bwowe filed the petition against the Electoral Commission and seven other aspirants: Happy Nasasira, Herbert Anderson Burora, Felix Okuye, Vincent Okumu, Joel Ssenyonyi, Wilberforce Kyambadde and Apuuli Rwamiti.
written by @enock katamba
-
Enock Katamba – Journalist | Founder of Uncovered Ug (uncoveredug.com)
Enock Katamba is a Ugandan journalist and founder of Uncovered Uganda, a digital online news platform covering health, national news, entertainment, celebrity gossip, music, education, business, sports, and international news. He focuses on delivering accurate, timely, and reliable information to keep the public informed.
Coverage: Health | National | Education | Business | Sports | International | Entertainment | Celebrity Gossip | Music
Published 2,000+ articles on Uncovered Ug (uncoveredug.com)
Contact:
X (Twitter): @Enockkatamba6
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +256 758 287 080
Website: www.uncoveredug.com
Latest entries
EducationApril 6, 2026Night Attack at Apac School Leaves 7 Students Injured
SportsApril 5, 2026Sydney Kings Win NBL26 in Overtime Thriller
NationalApril 4, 2026Kikuube LCV Chairperson Peter Banura Dies in Road Accident
Celebrity GossipApril 4, 202616-Year-Old CEO Calls for Parliament to Enact ‘Eye-for-Eye’ Capital Punishment Law After Ggaba Nursery Killings
