[2017] UGCA 66

[2017] UGCA 66

The Court of Appeal found that the trial Judge erred in law and fact by relying on speculative and uncorroborated evidence to find that the appellant bribed voters with an ambulance. The court held that the standard of proof in election petitions, particularly for bribery, requires cogent evidence that is slightly...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2017] UGCA 66
Parties
Appellant: Ntende Robert; Respondent: Isabirye Iddi
Court
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Election Petition Appeal No. 74 of 2016
Procedural Posture
Election Petition Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal_allowed_cross_appeal_dismissed
Legal Topics
Parliamentary Elections, Voter Bribery, Standard of Proof, Admissibility of Evidence, Costs Award
Source Language
en
Election Petitions Civil Procedure Parliamentary Elections Voter Bribery Standard of Proof Admissibility of Evidence Costs Award

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Ntende Robert

Appellant

Isabirye Iddi

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Election Petition Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the learned trial Judge properly evaluated the evidence on allegations of bribery in reaching her decision.
  2. 2 Whether the learned trial Judge lowered the standard of proof required in an Electoral Petition.
  3. 3 Whether the learned trial Judge erred in law when she rejected and struck off some of the respondent's affidavits and audio CD.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal found that the trial Judge erred in law and fact by relying on speculative and uncorroborated evidence to find that the appellant bribed voters with an ambulance. The court held that the standard of proof in election petitions, particularly for bribery, requires cogent evidence that is slightly above a balance of probabilities and to the satisfaction of the court. The evidence adduced by the respondent, including photographs and affidavits, was not authenticated, and the witnesses were not proved to be registered voters as required by law. The court further held that mere possession of a National Identity Card does not suffice to prove voter registration; the voters'...

Court Disposition

appeal_allowed_cross_appeal_dismissed

Orders

  • The decision and orders of the trial Judge are set aside.
  • The appellant is declared the validly elected Member of Parliament for Bunya South Constituency, Mayuge District.