The republic of uganda in the supreme court of uganda at kampala

(2)(f). The aforesaid illegal practices and offences were committed by the 1st Respondent personally or and his agents and supporters with his knowledge and consent or approval through the military, Presidential Protection Unit and other organs of the state attached to his office and under his command as the President, commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Military Council, and High Command and chairman of Movement Organization.”

In his answer to the Petition, the 1st Respondent replied to some of grounds targeted at him, which I have just reproduced, as follows:

“2. it came to the 1st Respondent’s knowledge that Hajati Miiro was arrested and charged in Court with two others but it is specifically denied that the 1st Respondent’s agents/supporters did interfere “with the electioneering activities of the Petitioner and his agents” as alleged and the 1st Respondent contends that the entire Presidential Election process was conducted under conditions of freedom and fairness and that the 1st Respondent obtained a lot more than 50% of valid votes of those entitled to vote.” The 1st Respondent therefore, states that he has no personal knowledge of and does not admit the contents of paragraph 3(i) of the Petition.”

The numbering “3(1)” appearing in the immediately foregoing paragraph of the 1^st

Respondent’s Answer must be an error, because paragraph 3(I) does not exist in the Petition.

“5. The contents of paragraph 3(2)(c) and (dl of the Petition are denied and the 1st Respondent will say that the entire electoral process was conducted under conditions of freedom and fairness and secure conditions necessary for the conduct of the election in accordance with the Act and other laws.”

In its Answer to the Petition the 2nd Respondent replied to the grounds of the Petition which concern it and which I have reproduced above. Some of its replies tend to repeat what the 1st Respondent pleaded in his Answer.

“19. In reply to paragraph 3(1) (v), of the Petition, the 2nd Respondent avers that the Presidential Election process was conducted under conditions of freedom and fairness and the 2nd Respondent denies any knowledge of any interference with the Petitioner’s or his agents’ campaigns, and that if there was any interference, which is not admitted, there is no proof that it affected the campaigns the electoral process or the result of the election in a substantial manner or at all.

20. In reply to paragraph 3(1) (w) of the Petition, the 2nd Respondent denies any knowledge of abduction or arrests of the Petitioner’s agents and supporters to prevail upon them to vote for the 1st Respondent or for any other candidate.