Electoral Commission urged to hire private lawyers to help with election petitions

The electoral commission has been advised to hire external lawyers to represent the commission in the ongoing election petitions.

Courts across the country started hearing election petitions on Monday. However, in Fort Portal, Lady Justice Jeanne Rwakakooko of Fort Portal High court asked the EC to hire external lawyers, after their representative, lawyer Samuel Kiriaghe prayed to the court to re-schedule some of the petitions on grounds that the commission had limited human resources.

Kiriaghe argued that many of the legal personnel from the commission had more than one case to respond to each court day.

However, Justice Rwakakooko declined the request and instead urged the commission to hire lawyers from external firms so that justice can be dispensed on time. The Justice said she had up to 14 days to handle the petitions before the court’s jurisdiction.

She also directed both the petitioners and the respondents to harmonize on the areas of interest that they only want to be heard before the court to save time.

Justice Rwakakooko asked the legal representatives not to drag the court process with interest to show their clients that they are working so hard.

She is hearing the petitions including that filed by former Bughendera County MP Christopher Kibanzanga challenging the announced victory of Acrobert Moses Kiiza.

And, others filed by former Bundibugyo LCV Ronald Mutegeki challenging the victory of his rival Robert Tibakunirwa and others and that of Nashir Mugume Vs the EC and others.  

Hearing of petitions before this court was scheduled to start today.