Drama unfolded at Masaka High Court on Thursday after police officers reportedly attempted to arrest Teddy Nabukenya, the Kalungu District Electoral Commission returning officer, over allegations of electoral malpractice in the Kalungu West parliamentary election.
The incident sparked commotion at the court premises after Nabukenya allegedly jumped into a vehicle belonging to Kalungu West Member of Parliament Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu and fled, prompting police officers to pursue the vehicle.
The dramatic scenes attracted the attention of supporters of both Ssewungu and his election petitioner, Ismail Ssemakula, who had gathered at the court for proceedings in the petition challenging the legislator’s victory.
The incident occurred as the court continued hearing Ssewungu’s defence in the case, in which Ssemakkula is seeking to overturn the results of the Kalungu West parliamentary election.
Security had been heightened at Masaka High Court ahead of the proceedings, which attracted supporters of the two political camps and other people following the closely watched election dispute.
According to accounts from the court premises, Nabukenya, who had appeared as a witness for the Electoral Commission, was reportedly approached by police officers shortly after giving his testimony.
The officers were reportedly seeking to arrest him over allegations that he had tampered with votes during the Kalungu West parliamentary election.
In the ensuing commotion, Nabukenya allegedly rushed into Ssewungu’s vehicle, which subsequently drove away with him inside.
Police officers reportedly jumped into their patrol vehicle and pursued the vehicle carrying the electoral official, heightening tension among those gathered at the court.
The incident drew mixed reactions from supporters of the two sides, with some becoming visibly agitated as the situation unfolded.
The circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest, including whether police eventually apprehended Nabukenya, were not immediately established.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of a legal battle over the Kalungu West parliamentary election, in which Ssewungu is defending his victory against a petition filed by Ssemakula.
Nabukenya’s testimony was among the evidence presented in court as the parties examined issues surrounding the conduct and management of the election.
During his appearance, the electoral official reportedly responded to questions concerning discrepancies involving ballot boxes whose seals were allegedly found broken, as well as inconsistencies in declaration of results forms.
These issues form part of the concerns raised in the election petition and were among the matters that led the court to order a recount of votes cast in the constituency.
The integrity of election materials and the accuracy of results recorded at polling stations are central to determining whether the disputed election was conducted in accordance with the law.
However, the allegations against Nabukenya remain unproven and are subject to the appropriate legal processes.
Despite the tension surrounding the reported attempted arrest, Ssewungu expressed confidence in his defence and dismissed the claims advanced by the petitioner.
The legislator said he was optimistic that the court proceedings would ultimately uphold his electoral victory, insisting that he had already won the case.
His position sets the stage for a legal contest in which the court is expected to examine the evidence presented by both sides before making a determination on the petition.
Ssewungu’s defence is particularly significant because the petition challenges the validity of his victory and raises questions about the handling and declaration of results at selected polling stations.
Ssemakula maintained that the evidence presented in court had revealed the truth about the disputed election.
The petitioner expressed confidence that he would prevail in the legal battle, signalling his determination to continue challenging Ssewungu’s victory.
The two candidates have maintained opposing positions, with Ssewungu insisting that his victory should stand while Ssemakula seeks a court ruling in his favour.
The court’s assessment of the evidence, including disputed election documents and testimony from electoral officials, is expected to play a significant role in resolving the contest.
Ssewungu’s lawyer, Sam Muyizzi, said the outcome of the petition would largely depend on two key issues: the authenticity of declaration of results forms from four polling stations and the question of a vote recount.
The polling stations in question are Bulawula, Kisagazi, Nalunya and Kakunyu.
Muyizzi said the authenticity of the declaration of results forms from the four polling stations was among the central issues the court would need to consider when resolving the dispute.
The lawyer also pointed to the rejection of a request for a vote recount as another important issue in the proceedings.
The disputed documents and the question of whether a recount should have been conducted form part of the wider legal arguments surrounding the election.
A determination on these matters could prove significant in establishing whether the election results should be upheld or subjected to further legal scrutiny.
The dramatic scenes at Masaka High Court have added another dimension to an already contentious election dispute, drawing attention to the role of electoral officials in safeguarding the credibility of the voting process.
The allegations against Nabukenya, coupled with questions surrounding ballot-box seals and declaration of results forms, have placed election management under scrutiny.
However, the reported police pursuit and the competing claims by the two political camps do not, in themselves, establish wrongdoing by any individual. The allegations must be assessed through the appropriate legal processes.
As the case continues, attention remains focused on the evidence presented by the parties, the disputed election documents and the court’s eventual determination of the petition challenging Ssewungu’s victory.
The incident also raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the reported attempted arrest of Nabukenya and whether police will provide further information about their actions.