The plot of the ongoing election petition filed by Mr. Amama Mbabazi against President Yoweri Museveni and the Electoral Commission has produced another twist, as the panel of eminent Supreme Court judges handling it have allowed Makerere University Law dons to join in.
The nine law dons last week requested to join the petition as a purely neutral force focusing on providing guidance, and they cited their expertise in law matters as sufficient qualification. However, the legal team defending President Museveni and the Electoral commission had objected to the legal dons’ request, arguing that some members of the nine-man team have previously shown themselves to be against everything involving President Museveni.
The nine dons include Prof Sylvia Tamale, Prof Christopher Mbazira, Prof Joe Oloka-Onyango, Dr Busingye Kabumba, Dr Ronald Naluwairo, Dr Rose Nakayi, Dr Kakungulu Mayambala, Mr Daniel Ruhweza and Mr Daniel Ngabirano.
The court ruling allowing the dons to join the petition was read by Justice Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, who, in observing that in the petition public interest outweighs the concerns and the objections of some parties, stated: “We are satisfied that the applicants raise relevant points of law and will benefit court in the hearing.The Court is satisfied that the applicants are quite competent, experienced in the field of law and human rights.”
However, a similar application by civil society organisations (CSOs) to join the petition was rejected by court.