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

(7) I found the polling station already arranged for voting exercise. My fellow polling agent, Mr. Wafuba was already at the polling station.


(8) The ballot box was opened for our inspection and It was empty. After inspection the same was closed and locked. Voting started peacefully. There were 12 voters present who peacefully cast their votes.


(9) Then there was a disturbance started by the area country chief Abdu Mudoma the chairman President Museveni’s Task Force All Mukholi, the sub-county councillor Mr. Micheal Namundi who came to the station with 4 armed soldiers. The soldiers shot in the air. We the two polling agents for Kiiza Besigye me and Mr. Wa tuba were severally assaulted. After assaulting us the sub-county chief, sub- county councilor and the chafrman of Museveni’s Task Force put ballot papers on which only Yoweri Museveni’s name had been ticked into the ballot box. We tried to intervene but we were assaulted further and we were removed from the ballot box as the 3 men continued putting in more ballot papers. I struggled with All Mukholi the Task Force chairman for MusevenI from whom I snatched 5 ballot papers on which Museveni’s name had been ticked.


(10) From the polling station I ran to Mbale police station where I handed in the 5 ballot papers. I made a Police statement, which was recorded. From Mbale Police Station was given a form to take to Mbale Hospital where I was examined and treated for a bruised back. The Police reference is SD/15/12/3/2000. The Police have not called me back for further action. Sworn on 21st March 2001”


Mubaje Sulaiti of Bunewoze village, Butumbo in Bugokho Mbale stated in his affidavit as follows:

“(1) on 12/3/2001 1 was one of the persons entitled to vote at Bukwanga polling Police Station. I arrived at the polling station at 12 noon. I was having my voter’s card.

(2) On reaching the polling station, I saw the person who was in charge of the marking ink holding 10 voters cards with which she moved towards the ballot box. She was a lady. I asked her where she was taking the ballot papers. I held her. I complained to the presiding officer, seeking for assistance as a I removed the ballot papers from her.

(9) Before I could be assisted 2 armed LDU, who were present intervened and assaulted me severely removing the ballot papers from me. One of the LD(J then put all the ballot papers into the ballot box. I was not allowed to vote and my voter’s card was forcefully removed from me.


(10) I was chased from the polling station by one of the LDU who threatened to shoot me if I didn’t leave.


(11) From the polling station reported Mbale police station. I made a statement. I was given a form to take to Mbale Hospital where I was examined and treated. The police reference is SD 20/3/2001.


Mulindwa Abasi from Pallisa averred in his affidavit as follows:

“(1) On the l2th March 2001 I was one of the persons supposed to vote in the Presidential Elections.

(2) I cast my vote at Kobolwa polling station at 7:00 am
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(3) I was also a monitor for candidate Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye in Kibuku Parish. After casting my vote, I started my monitoring work within Kibuku Parish I observed the following:

(a When I was at Kibuku Trading Centre, I detected that Mrs. Mujwe the sub-county chief Kibuku was issuing around some voters cards to the crowd which was around her at the Trading Centre. I was with Gideon Kalaja who was the sub-county monitor for Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye. We went and challenged Mrs. Mujwe but we were roughened up by the LDU personnel who were heavily armed. They told us that they together with Museveni were in power and we cannot do anything. They told us to keep quiet.


(b) There were motor vehicles which were bringing voters from villages and they were told to vote for candidate Yoweri Museveni. Some soldiers were travelling in a mini-bus all around the Trading centre to whom the sub-county chief Mrs. Mujwi, one Hap Nangeje Abubakali, sub-county councillor Maliki Kitete and Nyalgolo Peter LC 11 chairman were telling the people that if they don’t vote for Museveni the soldiers would kill them. There were 3 polling stations within the Trading Centre namely Kabolwa polling station, Kibuku secondary school polling station and ginnery polling station. Mrs Mujwi and her group were going around these polling stations giving voters cards, giving those who had already voted. I complained to the presiding officer in the 3 polling stations but in vain. Instead I was being laughed at.


(4) At all the polling stations I went to there were voters who could not vote because on reporting. they were told their names had been ticked and they were told they were not supposed to vote. When they complained they were chased away.

(5) Because of the complaints I raised during elections, my life is under threat I am being told by Museveni’s supporters that I am a rebel. I am under great fear for my life.

There are, however, affidavits sworn in rebuttal, denying any intimidation upon petitioner’s supporters. These are the affidavits:

Teopista Mujwi sub-county chief of Kibuku stated in her affidavit as follows:‘(3) That I have carefully read the affidavit of Mulindwa Abasi dated 2 1/3/20001 and I depone herein below as follows: