Lydia Wanyoto, the former National Resistance Movement (NRM) Mbale city Woman parliamentary candidate has filed an application for leave of court to amend her petition challenging the victory of her rival, Connie Galiwango and the Electoral Commission.
Appearing in closed chambers at the High court in Mbale before justice Andrew Byabashaija on Monday morning, Wanyoto's lawyers from N. Mugoda Company Advocates, Springs Advocates and Mugabi Ishaka Advocates asked the court to allow them to file additional evidence.
Wanyoto ran to the High court crying foul play after losing to Galiwango with a margin of over 15,000 votes in the January 14, 2021 polls. She claimed that the exercise was marred by gross malpractices including voter intimidation, violence and voter bribery among others.
Her lawyer, Edy Nangulo told journalists that their first task as hearing of their election petition begins was to seek leave of court to amend their petition to nullify the results for specific polling stations where electoral malpractice was prevalent.
Galiwango's lawyer, Medard Lubega Ssegona confirmed receiving Wanyoto's application, saying court has given them up Thursday to respond to the application. Court has scheduled Monday, August 23 to hear the application. Mbale High court, which was allocated six judges is scheduled to handle 31 election petitions over the next 30 days.
Source
