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TAINTED RACE:
Musinguzi |
By Allan Turyaguma
James Musinguzi has pulled out of
the Kinkizi West constituency by-election, saying he did not wish
to endanger his constituents.
Musinguzi�s lawyer Ngaruye
Ruhindi made the announcement yesterday soon after the High Court
threw out Musinguzi�s request to postpone the nomination which are
slated for today.
�Musinguzi has made it clear that he will
not participate in an election that will put his constituents in
more trouble and increase the trauma. He says during the previous
election, one of his supporters lost his manhood and another his
eye. As long as the circumstances that prevailed in Kinkizi West
constituency during the 2001 parliamentary polls still exist, he
cannot participate in the elections. We have strongly advised him
to save the lives of his people by not contesting,� Ruhindi said.
Ngaruye Ruhindi dismissed claims that Musinguzi would back
another candidate to contest against defence minister Amama
Mbabazi.
�How! can we chose another person to suffer the
injustice which Musinguzi has protested?� Ngaruye asked.
The
High Court sitting in Mbarara had just allowed the Electoral
Commission to conduct the nomination today.
Justice Paul
Mugamba dismissed with costs Musinguzi�s and voter John Bosco
Twinomuhwezi�s application to postpone the nominations, citing
heavy army deployment in the area and the interference of state
agents in the electoral process.
Musinguzi said, �I don�t see
myself participating in shambled elections. Those interested can
proceed.�
The seat fell vacant last month after the Court of
Appeal upheld the High Court nullification of Mbabazi�s election
over irregularities.
Justice Mugamba made his ruling at 4:00pm
to a tense fully-packed courtroom. �This application is premature.
The applicants have not proved that there are the alleged 7,000
troops in Kinkizi constituency. For the other irregularities
alleged, the Electoral Commission can regulate th! em after the
nominations. I, therefore, dismiss the applicatio! n with c osts,�
he ruled.
The Movement director of information, Ofwono Opondo,
was in court.
He said afterwards, �Musinguzi is a spoiler and
Kanungu is a young district.�
Ends
Published on: Tuesday, 14th January, 2003 |
