EC boss Byabakama tells Bobi Wine to accept defeat and wait for 2026; punches holes in ‘public court’ call

Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Simon Mugenyi Byabakama says National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine should stop hoodwinking Ugandans that he won the January 14 presidential election.

Bobi Wine polled 35 per cent of the votes to come second after incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni who won the election with 58 per cent.

He had challenged Museveni’s reelection in the Supreme Court but withdrew his petition over alleged bias on the side of the judges.

He has since called on his supporters — the so-called public court — to engage in peaceful protests.

The singer-turned-politician recently claimed he had won the election with 54 per cent.

But government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo punched holes in the authenticity of the declaration of results (DR) forms Bobi Wine presented to the press.

Now, Byabakama, the man who was in charge of the election whose results Bobi Wine disputes, says both the ‘public court’ and DR forms are suspicious.

“I don’t know what is the composition of court of public opinion — what are the rules that govern that court of public opinion. I think the proposers and proponents of that process should be in best position to answer those questions because for me am wondering, what is the best composition to the court of public opinion,” said Byabakama on March 10.

“What are the rules? How will they determine the matters that have been determined by the Supreme court and what will be the outcome and the implementation process?”

He further argued that if Bobi Wine had authentic DR forms, the Supreme Court was the right place, and his detention was a lame excuse for not filing enough evidence since he worked with a team that includes lawyers.

“What is the basis of his claims that he won the elections on account of what is contained in the DR forms which he has whereas the DR forms in our custody show a different picture?” wondered Byabakama.

“Secondly, if he felt strongly that he indeed he won the elections and that claim or that conviction is premised on the DR forms he has, why didn’t he utilize the opportunity of having filed a petition in the Supreme court?”

Byabakama feels Bobi Wine should just accept he lost to Museveni, and move on — and perhaps wait for the 2026 presidential election.

Additional Reporting: Courtesy