Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, has been declared free of contempt of court accusations. The Constitution Court ruled in his favor, preventing him from facing civil remand or a monetary fine.
The case emerged from the efforts of Bukimbiri County Member of Parliament (MP) Eddie Kwizera, who sought to have Byabakama held in civil prison or fined three billion shillings (sh3b). Kwizera’s argument was based on Byabakama’s involvement in organizing elections in the municipalities of Apac, Sheema, Ibanda, Nebbi, Bugiri, and Kotido, despite a court ruling that declared their creation null and void.
Kwizera additionally requested that all constituencies created after 2001 be halted. However, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, along with Justices Catherine Bamugemereire, Muzamiru Kibeedi, Irene Mulyagonja, and Oscar John Kihika, dismissed Kwizera’s application. They determined that the application had been submitted prematurely, stating that there had been no contempt committed at the time of its filing.
