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March 26, 2007

Uganda: Kivajinja Vows to Stay on Despite Court Ruling
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16CD31A:A6F02AD83191E1603F1D0A9720D47A429574F7DCC14957C0 Kivajinja
says no sufficient irregularities to overturn his election as member
of parliament A court of appeal earlier this month ruled that the
election of Kirunda Kivajinja as a member of the Ugandan parliament
was invalid. The Kampala High Court last October nullified his
election on the grounds it was tinted with malpractices like bribery,
violence, and intimidation of voters and use of government resources
the campaign.

Kivajinja, who is the third deputy prime minister and minister of
information for Uganda, appealed and lost. So why is he still holding
on to his post?  Kivajinja said he disagreed with the court’s ruling.

“Of course, I differ with it in the sense that the people elected me.
I got all the votes. Out of the 99 polling stations, my opponent
complained about 12, and out of the 12, only nine he won. So they are
not questioning whether I have the majority, but they are bringing
other issues, saying that I had people who campaigned,” he said.

Kivajinja also rejects the court’s findings that his campaign used
bribery, violence, and intimidation of voters.

“If at all there were any intimidation, the turnout would not have
been more than 76 percent. So that one is completely out,” Kivajinja
said.

Following the 2006 elections, the opposition Forum for Democratic
Change, complained that the elections were rigged. But Kivajinja
rejected the suggestion that the court ruling against him vindicated
the opposition claims.

“I don’t think it could be put in the same basket. But even that, the
irregularity that could be cited could not have overcome the overall
wishes of the people. There cannot be intimidation when you have got
more than 76 percent of turn out,” he said.

Kivajinja, who described himself as a freedom fighter who fought for
judicial independence in Uganda, said he saw the recent judicial
strike as a sign that the judicial process in Uganda was maturing.





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