The high court has set November 17, 2022 for the retrial of the petition against the election of the Gomba district woman member of parliament, Sylvia Nayebale.
The court of appeal ordered the retrial of a petition by the National Unity Platform-NUP candidate, Betty Sentamu, challenging Nayebare's elections on grounds of voter bribery and intimidation.
On Monday, Justice Alex Ajiji directed the lawyers of the two political rivals to file their joint scheduling memorandum by November 17, 2022. He issued the directives in a closed-door meeting with the lawyers at Mpigi high court.
Sentamu's lawyer, Chrysostom Katumba told journalists after the meeting that the judge had directed them to appear before the court by December 7 and 9, 2022 to hear the petitioner’s case, which will involve the cross-examination of the witnesses.
He said that the court has also set December 12 and 13 for the cross-examination of Nayebale and Electoral Commission.
In August 2021, Justice Richard Wejuli Wabwire dismissed Ssentamu’s petition following a preliminary objection that the petition was not properly filed.
Nayebale argued that Ssentamu had paid Shillings 100,000 instead of 150,000 shillings provided for under the Parliamentary Elections (Interim Provisions) Rules.
Ssentamu is challenging Nayebare's election for alleged malpractice. The Electoral Commission declared Nayebale as the winner after collecting 30,253 votes against Ssentamu’s 22,657 votes following the 14th January 2021 general elections.
She rejected the poll results, saying that there was double registration of some voters at some polling stations. She also claims that at least 40 people did not vote because some had died while others rejected electoral malpractice.