President Museveni
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The NRM party has established a committee of lawyers to handle election petitions that arose out of primary elections.
According to President Yoweri Museveni, the party chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, the chairman of the NRM Electoral Commission has been advised to step aside.
“Our lawyers, however, have advised that Tanga Odoi cannot be the one who corrects a mistake that he made. It is the lawyers’ committee (the Tribunal), that will deal with politics and the Law,” said Museveni in a statement issued today. He added: “They will, of course, be guided by the same facts that guided ISO and CID in arresting the criminals and charging them.”
Museveni added that those affected by the mistakes of the mistake-makers, should know that their grievances are already being addressed. “Everything will be rectified. It is just the facts and evidence that will conclude the matter,” he said.
He added: “You saw my messages regarding the glorious NRM primaries that were, nevertheless, kutokozibwa (to pollute) by mistakes committed by self-seekers. As I said in the previous messages, the mistakes included: altering results; bribery; and claims of interfering with the registers. These actions were criminal and also distorting the politics and the law of elections. What was crucial and urgent was the criminal side of committing fraud by altering results, using violence and bribery.”
Museveni pointed out that the state structures such as ISO and CID have already helped us by arresting the criminals and charging them. “What remains are the political and legal aspects. What happens to the flag bearers who were fraudulently declared? Why doesn’t Tanga Odoi change and announce the proper results? Remember, that the voting was by lining up, during the day and everybody saw the results. How does anybody change that, other than making oneself a fool?”
About the Author
