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Mbayo Vs Electoral Commission & Anor (Election Appeal No. 7 of 2006) [2006] UGCA 49 (8 December 2006)
- Citation
- [2006] UGCA 49
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- Court of Appeal of Uganda
- Posture
- Election Appeal / Appeal
- Case number
- Election Appeal No. 7 of 2006
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- Court of Appeal of Uganda
- Posture
- Election Appeal / Appeal
- Case number
- Election Appeal No. 7 of 2006
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court held that the appellant failed to prove bribery to the satisfaction of the court as required under Section 147 of the Local Government Act. The evidence presented was insufficient to establish that bribery occurred or that it substantially affected the election results. The trial judge did not err in rejecting the affidavits, as they did not comply with statutory requirements, nor in disallowing the application for amendment, as it was within the court's discretion. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed and the election result upheld.
Court disposition
appeal dismissed with costs
Orders
- Appeal is dismissed with costs to the respondents in this court and the courts below.
- The declaration of the second respondent as winner of the election is upheld.
02
Material facts
Parties
Mbayo Jacob Robert
AppellantElectoral Commission
RespondentSecond Respondent
Respondent03
Procedural history
Posture
Election Appeal / Appeal
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether bribery was proved to the satisfaction of the court to warrant nullification of the election.
- 02
Whether the affidavits were wrongly rejected by the trial court.
- 03
Whether the trial judge erred in disallowing the application for amendment of the petition.
- 04
Whether non-compliance with electoral laws substantially affected the results.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The appellant argued that the election was marred by bribery, which influenced the outcome. He contended that the trial judge erred in rejecting affidavits that supported his claims and in disallowing his application to amend the petition. He maintained that non-compliance with electoral laws substantially affected the results and that the election should be nullified.
- Respondent
- The respondents argued that the allegations of bribery were not substantiated with credible evidence and that the affidavits were properly rejected according to the law. They asserted that the trial judge acted within his discretion in disallowing the amendment and that any non-compliance did not substantially affect the election outcome.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 147 of the Local Government Act, Cap 243
Bribery must be proved to the satisfaction of the court before an election can be nullified.
- 02
Civil Procedure Act, Cap 71, Section 100
Courts have discretion to allow or disallow amendments to pleadings.
- 03
Oaths Act, Cap 19
Affidavits must comply with statutory requirements to be admissible.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court held that the appellant failed to prove bribery to the satisfaction of the court as required under Section 147 of the Local Government Act. The evidence presented was insufficient to establish that bribery occurred or that it substantially affected the election results. The trial judge did not err in rejecting the affidavits, as they did not comply with statutory requirements, nor in disallowing the application for amendment, as it was within the court's discretion. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed and the election result upheld.
Obiter and limits
- Bribery allegations in election petitions require strict proof and must be supported by credible evidence.
- Procedural compliance in election petitions is essential, but minor irregularities that do not affect the outcome will not vitiate the results.
Court disposition
appeal dismissed with costs
- Appeal is dismissed with costs to the respondents in this court and the courts below.
- The declaration of the second respondent as winner of the election is upheld.
Source and reliance status
Court of Appeal of Uganda
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Judgment
THE RUBLIC OF UGANDA
COURT OF APPEAL
ELECTION APPEAL NO. 7 OF 2006
(Appeal from the decision of the High Court of Uganda sitting at Mbale (Muhanguzi; Ag, J.) dated July 23, 2006 arising from Election Petition No. 18 of 2006)
(CORAM: OKELLO, TWINOMUJUNI AND BY AMU GISH A, JJ. A)
MBAYO JACOB ROBERT;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;APPELLANT
VERSES
ELECTORAL COMMISSION & Anor;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;RESPONDENT
*Election Petitions*—*Bribery—Bribery during elections—Proof of bribery—Section 147 of Local Government Act—Bribery must be proved to satisfaction of Court before election can be nullified*
This was an Election Appeal from the Judgement of the High Court of Uganda sitting at Mbale. On March 10, 2006, Kabwangasi Sub-County in Pallisa District held its elections for Local Council 111 as part of the National Elections of 2006. The appellant and second respondents were nominated as candidates for the office of the chairperson.
The first respondent declared the second respondent as the winner of those elections. The appellant contested the results but his petition was dismissed. The appellant then filed an appeal contending that non-compliance affected the results substantially. He alleged bribery, that the affidavits were wrongly rejected and that the learned trial Judge erred in disallowing the application for amendment.
HELD:
Section 147 of the Local Government Act is to the effect that any person who with intent either before or during election, either directly or indirectly influences another person to vote or to refrain from voting for any candidate or gives, provides or causes to be given any money gift or other consideration to another person to influence that person's voting, commits an illegal practice of the offence of bribery. In the instant case, bribery was not proved to the satisfaction of the Court.
*Appeal dismissed with costs here and Courts below.*
Dated this 8th day of December 2006
OKELLO, JA
TWINOMUJUNI, JA
BYAMUGISHA, JA
Legislation considered:
Civil Procedure Act, Cap 71, Section 100
Local Government Act, Cap 243, Sections 139 (c), 147
Oaths Act, Cap 19
Cases cited:
Beoco Ltd Vs Alfa Laval Co. Ltd [1994] 4 ALLER 464 Central Kenya Ltd Vs Trust Bank Ltd [2002] 2 EA 367
JlDBaua Ltd Vs Didar Singh [1961] EA 282
PKizza-Besigye Vs Electoral Commission and Museveni Kaguta, Election Petition [ No. I of 2001
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•m Bakery Vs Castelino [1958] EA 461 lo Transport Services (Bus) Ltd Vs Martin Adala Obene, Civil Appeal No. 4 of 1994 fciyatta National Hospital Vs Kenya Commercial Bank [2003] EA 528 Ijieads Vs Steeds 22 QBD 337 at 42
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