The National Unity Platform (NUP) addressed a complaint filed in January by three individuals, Ekarlet, Saphy, and Wilbert, during a session with the Electoral Commission. These individuals sought to obstruct the gazetting of NUP’s new Party Constitution. Despite the complaint’s absurdity, it was only brought to NUP’s attention by the Commission on April 26, 2024.
During the meeting, the three individuals, previously unknown to the Party but now claiming membership, were accompanied by Mr. Moses Nkonge Kibalama and Ssimbwa Kagombe. They were represented by Bwowe Ivan and Gideon Tugume as their legal counsel. Additionally, individuals resembling state operatives, concealing their identities with masks and caps, were present.
NUP’s legal team initially informed the Commission that the three individuals were not members of the Party but impostors and strangers. Their names were not listed in any of NUP’s registers, inherited from the former leadership or the new ones. The Party is investigating who is orchestrating the actions of these individuals.
To substantiate the claim that the three individuals were fraudulent, NUP presented a letter from the Uganda Law Council confirming that the law firm supposedly representing them was fictitious and nonexistent. Gideon Tugume, who signed the complaint, was never registered as an advocate of the courts of judicature, as he purported. Additionally, the law firm disowned Tugume, his actions, and the complainants.
NUP questioned why the Commission entertained the complaint, given the evident fraudulent nature of the complainants and their legal representation. They suggested that the individuals should be handed over to the police to face charges of forgery and fraud.
Ultimately, the Commission decided not to resolve the complaint but to await the outcome of a similar matter filed by the same group at the High Court. This decision reflects a cautious approach by the Commission pending legal clarification on the issues raised.
