Court rules for Museveni
06/04/2006 20:46  - (SA)  

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Kampala - Uganda's supreme court has rejected an opposition challenge to President Yoweri Museveni's re-election in February, saying on Thursday that isolated irregularities were not enough to change the outcome.

Museveni's former doctor-turned-rival - Kizza Besigye - had brought the case, alleging widespread fraud had caused his defeat in the east African nation's February 23 election.

"By a majority of four to three, it was not proved to the satisfaction of the court that this non-compliance (of electoral laws)affected the result of the presidential election in a substantial manner," said chief justice Benjamin Odoki.

He said the judges noted irregularities in vote counting, in the deletion of thousands of names from the voting register, and said bribery and violence had compromised a free and fair ballot "in some areas of the country".

But, they said the incidents did not merit a re-run of the polls, which Besigye had wanted, or even a re-count.

Country must address 'grave concerns'

The supreme court judges raised what they called "grave concerns", including the continued involvement of security forces in the voting process and the apparently biased conduct of some election officials.

"We are of the opinion that all the institutions and persons involved should urgently address these concerns to improve electoral democracy in the country," said Odoki.

Besigye said it was unfortunate the court had not cancelled an election that was "glaringly invalid", and called on his supporters to hold demonstrations.

Planning vigorous mobilisation

"Uganda is right back to square one after 25 years. We shall not associate ourselves with, or respect, this decision," he said.

"We shall vigorously mobilise all Ugandans to channel the popular discontent towards actions that will weaken and dislodge the dictatorship through all legitimate means available."

Museveni, 62, a former guerrilla leader who took power in 1986 after a bush war, won the election with 59% of the vote versus 37% for Besigye.

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