A Lawyer and former parliamentary candidate Jet John Tumwebaze Ndamagi has asked the High Court in Masaka to allow him to represent himself in an election petition challenging the victory of Godfrey Aine Kaguta, popularly known as Sodo, in the Mawogola North parliamentary election.
Aine Godfrey Kaguta of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) won with 15,923 votes, followed by independent candidate Jet John Tumwebaze Ndamagi, who polled 6,955 votes.
The other candidates were Angella Kigonya Namyalo (DP) with 274 votes, Idi Semata (NUP) with 294 votes, Francis Kigongo Masanga (FDC) with 112 votes, Moses Lyazi (PFF) with 74 votes, and John Twiine (Independent) with 42 votes.
However, Tumwebaze was dissatisfied with Aine’s declaration as the winner and petitioned the High Court, seeking to have the election results nullified.
He told court that the election was marred by alleged irregularities involving both civilians and security personnel. He claimed that some of his supporters were assaulted while others were arrested on what he described as unclear charges.
Tumwebaze argued that the alleged incidents undermined the freeness and fairness of the election.
He is also challenging Aine’s eligibility to serve as a Member of Parliament, alleging that the legislator does not possess the academic qualifications required for the position.
Tumwebaze, who practices with Kampala Associated Advocates, appeared in court in lawyers’ attire on Wednesday and took a seat at the bar as he sought permission to personally conduct his case.
Tumwebaze further asked the court to bar lawyer Paul Kutesa of Acadia & Company Advocates from participating in the petition. He alleged that Kutesa had previously represented him before switching to represent Aine, arguing that the change created a conflict of interest.
Although Tumwebaze appeared in court alongside 11 lawyers from his firm, he maintained that he wanted to represent himself. He challenged those opposing his request to identify the specific law that prevents a qualified lawyer who is also a petitioner from appearing in person.
However, Lawyer Geoffrey Kandeebe, who represents Aine, objected to the request.
Kandeebe argued that it was improper for Tumwebaze to sit at the bar as a petitioner and urged him to select lawyers from his firm to represent him in court.
Justice Thomas Ocaaya asked the lawyers to identify any law barring Tumwebaze from representing himself in the election petition. No such provision was presented to court at the time.
The court adjourned the matter to September 23, when Justice Ocaaya is expected to rule on the application for Tumwebaze.
