Kalungu West incumbent MP Joseph Gozanga Ssewungu (NUP) can now have a breather after more than four of 102 ballot boxes that had been assembled to carry out a recount exercise of the votes resulting into his declared victory, were found having been tampered with.
The planned vote recount exercise arises out of the Masaka Chief Magistrate Herbert Asiimwe order directing for the same, following an application filed by Ssewungu’s political rival Ismael Ssajja Ssemakula (independent candidate) under which he challenges his victory that he claims left a lot to be desired.
The announced Uganda Electoral Commission (EC) official results show Ssewungu having polled 10,106 votes while Ssemakula 10,060 votes, leaving a thin range of only 46 votes.
Against that backdrop, Ssemakula a close associate of the ruling NRM/PLU’s fanatic Frank Gashumba applied for recount of the disputed vote, hoping to turn down Ssewungu’s win that he claims was tainted with rigging, despite accusations from the area voters pointing to Ssemakula as a pursuer of witch-hunt.
Apparently Gashumba’s relationship with Ssewungu is fragile as reflected in Gashumba’s verbal artillery against Ssewungu, aimed at ensuring that he never bounces back to the 12th parliament on claims of failed performance during his 15-year parliamentary span.
Vote recount had been scheduled to take place on Friday 23rd at the EC offices in Masaka by the Returning Officer Teddy Nabukenya under the supervision of Magistrate Asiimwe, however, they were all shocked to find more than four boxes having tampered with, bearing open seals.
With this, the process was halted by Court. At the beginning, the Magistrate had put on the notice all parties that should any ballot box found to have been tampered with, the process would be stopped.
The vote recount exercise is provided for in parliamentary elections act under section 74 (1) and (2) as conducted by the CM.
Ssewungu’s legal team was led by Caleb Alaka while Ssemakula’s lawyers by Ambrose Tebyaasa.
Ssewungu’s escape from Magistrate Asiimwe axe impliedly confirms an extension of his presence in parliament to 20 years by the end of 2026-2031 term.
