Скачать или смотреть KASESE COURT HALTS BALLOT RECOUNT AMID BROKEN SEALS, REFERS PETITION TO HIGH COURT

KASESE COURT HALTS BALLOT RECOUNT AMID BROKEN SEALS, REFERS PETITION TO HIGH COURT
 
Kasese District Chief Magistrate's Court has halted the ballot recount exercise for three polling stations in Busongora South after the three ballot boxes were brought with broken seals.
 
The move follows a petition by National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Hon Jackson Mbaju  Kathika, who alleged election irregularities in the January 15th general elections .
 
During court sitting at the Kasese District Magistrate court today morning, the Magistrate indicated that the court had initially ordered a recount of votes at Jabez Primary School, St. Peter's Primary School, and St. Jude Primary School. However, Chief Magistrate George Mfitunbindi halted the exercise, citing issues with the ballot boxes.
 
On Friday 23rd Jan 2026, George Mfitunbindi, the chief Magistrate ordered for the re-count today Tue 27, Jan 2026, however when the court wanted to start the exercise, the chief magistrate asked all parties to first witness the ballot boxes, all were witnessed tempered with since the electoral commission seals were already broken.
 
The chief magistrate advised that since seals were already broken and with the electoral commission laws guides, would not allow them to proceed with the case, advised the petitioner NUP's Mbaju Jackson to seek redress from the high Court.
 
According to the case petitioner who doubles as the NUP Candidate for Busongora South County, Hon. Jackson Mbaju Kathika explained what was transpired in the court to the press after the court sitting.
 
He assured the public that he has to proceed to the next level in the courts of law.
 
His fellow candidates in the concluded race showed dissatisfaction of the acts done by the quoted electoral commission and other pressure groups in the system.
 
Mr. David Isimbwa Mulindwa, the NRM flag bearer who was declared winner on January 17th by the Kasese District returning officer Mr. Geoffrey Mbabazi says he is also surprised with the broken seals.
 
He showed disagreement with the law procedures while regretting how he shall satisfy the petitioner with his claim victory.
 
It will be remembered that on Sat 17, Jan 2026, Mr. Mbabazi Godfrey, the Kasese Returning Officer declared David Isimbwa Mulindwa, NRM as a winner who got 10,845 votes, Jackson Mbaju Kathika, NUP got 10,760 votes, Munezero Juma, IND got 1,145 votes, Gedeon Mujungu Thembo, IND got 4,262 votes, Alozious Kighema Baguma, FDC got 3,845 votes, Baroi Frank Asiimwe, IND got 222 votes, Bakulirahi Sedrack Mbaju Arinaitwe, PFF got 322 votes but it gave dissatisfaction to NUP candidate Kathika, who claimed he won with over 600 votes.