EC chairperson Byabakama to Bobi Wine: Let’s not fool Ugandans

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

Official EC results indicate that Bobi Wine polled 35 per cent of just over 10 million votes cast.

He lost to incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) who won 58 per cent.

But Bobi challenged Byabakama’s EC results in the Supreme Court.

He would later withdraw his election petition, accusing judges of bias.

Bobi Wine has since claimed he won by 54 per cent – but he is yet to present evidence to prove this claim.

He only presented files of what he said were thousands of declaration of results (DR) forms.

No independent body has verified the ‘DR forms’ to ascertain their authenticity.

Government spokesperson Ofwono claimed the forms were fake.

Byabakama has now told members of the National Consultative Forum (NCF) meeting in Kansanga Kampala on March 18 that Bobi Wine’s claims are disturbing.

Formed by the EC in 2010, the NCF brings together all registered political parties in Uganda.

The forum currently has 32 member political parties.

He warned the singer-turned-politician against fooling Ugandans.

“Let us not hoodwink Ugandans,” said Byabakama.

“We have every opportunity, if you are aggrieved, to take the right forum.”

Byabakama argued that Bobi Wine lost an opportunity to compel the Supreme Court to probe the EC results.

“What should we conclude? Should we conclude that, despite that, therefore, what the Commission announced was not the correct position, whereas an opportunity was presented for the right to investigate into what the Electoral Commission announced?”