Ugandan Presidential candidate Bobi Wine has withdrawn his presidential election petition seeking to overturn the victory of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Led by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the 9 Supreme Court Judges panel decision followed a concession from all parties scrutinizing the petition filed by Bobi Wine who was the runner-up in the January 14 polls.
“Considering there is no objection by the respondent, leave is hereby granted as prayed. The petition stands withdrawn.”
Bobi Wine’s lawyer Medard Lubega Sseggona told the court that ‘awarding costs to the respondents, who include President Yoweri Museveni, the Electoral Commission and the Attorney General; would not only be unnecessary, but could also discourage such election petitions in the future’.
Seggona pointed out that the matter was of public interest, and as such, each party should bear its own costs.
“Our (argument) is made easier with the first respondent himself (President Museveni) who won the election and was declared as President. The first respondent is now the president; there is nothing more he would require from an ordinary citizen who merely challenged the election. Awarding (him) the costs would only be unfair,” said Seggona.
Announcing his decision to withdraw the petition, the pop star turned politician in February said authorities had blocked his attempt to present a case.
“The Supreme Court said, we could only submit, in this our petition, for 30 minutes. Now, that was clear, one, the Supreme Court did not want this matter to attract so much attention. So, for that matter, for the reasons we’ve given above, we have decided to withdraw from their court. The courts are not independent; it’s clear that these people are working for Mr Museveni,” Bobi Wine said, he is the National Unity Platform party leader.
