With the looming election petitions following disputed results, the Judiciary in Uganda may be readying to receive a cocktail of petitions.
Uganda held its General Elections on Thursday last week (January 14th) with President Yoweri Museveni declared the presidential winner; for the sixth consecutive time.
However, some of the results of the presidential race as well as those for the parliamentary seats are hotly disputed.
Some losers have,in particular, accused the Election Commission (EC) officials of doctoring their results.
In some instances, it was alleged, machines at the district tallying centres jammed at the time of compiling the presidential and parliamentary results.
"We are ready to handle all election disputes that will emerge and training for the purpose has started", disclosed the Deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera last week.
The training has focused on the petitions that may emerge from the disputed presidential and parliamentary elections.
Those who have undergone specialized training are judges of the Supreme Court and High Court and Registrars of all courts as well as the magistrates.
"The Judiciary would listen to all parties involved in election disputes and all cases shall be determined in a professional manner", he said.
Uganda went to polls on January 14th in what appeared to be a fierce contest between the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and 38 year old Robert Kyangulanyi.
The election campaigns have been marred with violence, mainly pitting the protesters and the security forces. Several deaths were reported in November.
This was the sixth time the 76 year old Museveni is seeking re-election after he pushed for constitutional changes, among them scrapping the age limit.
Justice Butera revealed this in Kampala when briefing the East African Community (EAC) Election Observer Mission on the poll preparations.
The team led by the former President of Burundi Domitien Ndayizeye observed the presidential and parliamentary elections.
"The Judiciary plays a critical role at the end of the election cycle. The entire election cycle is governed by laws", Justice Butera said.
Responding, the former Burundi leader said EAC believes that regional observation can play a critically important role "that would enhance the credibility of the elections".
The mission, he added, would be guided by the democratic principles and values outlined in the EAC Principles for Election Observation and Evaluation.
He further added that incident-free elections will guarantee stability in Uganda and the entire region against a recent poll-related chaos.
For nearly two decades,EAC has been sending election observer missions every time a partner state organizes polls.
The missions would also identify the weaknesses and challenges in organizing elections and make recommendations on how to strengthen the electoral processes.
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