The Court of Appeal has nullified the election of Igara East Member of Parliament, Mr Andrew Martial, one of the NRM MPs who is openly opposed to the planned scrapping of the age limit for presidential candidates from the Constitution. His election was nullified citing voter bribery and uttering defamatory statements.
Three justices including the Deputy Chief Justice Alponse Owiny-Dollo, Fredrick Engonda Ntende and Richard Buteera ordered the Electoral Commission to organise fresh elections to fill the vacant post.
The justices overturned the ruling of Mbarara High Court judge, Mr Wilfred Nabisinde who confirmed Mr Martial as the Igara East MP on grounds that the petitioner, Mr Michael Mawanda had adduced no sufficient evidence to warrant a nullification of the election results.
The justices also accepted Mr Mawanda’s evidence against Mr Martial on bribery and defamation, hence cancelling his victory.
His constituency, Igara East, in Bushenyi District, borders Igara West that is represented by Mr Raphael Magyezi, one of the architects of the scheme to scrap the age limit.