• Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Who Are We
  • About
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Login
The Pearl Times
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Business
    • Sports
    • World
  • 2026 Elections
  • People
  • Featured
  • Viewsroom
  • PROSE & POETRY
  • Archives
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Business
    • Sports
    • World
  • 2026 Elections
  • People
  • Featured
  • Viewsroom
  • PROSE & POETRY
  • Archives
No Result
View All Result
The Pearl Times
No Result
View All Result
Home News Elections

Five reasons why Bobi Wine is threatening to withdraw presidential election petition

Bobi Wine

Bobi Wine. Courtesy Photo

National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has explained why he is considering withdrawing his presidential petition from the Supreme Court, almost one month to the March 18 ruling.

Bobi Wine polled 35 per cent of just over 10 million votes to come second in a race won by incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni.

Museveni scored 58 per cent (six million votes), according to results released by the Electoral Commission (EC).

But Bobi Wine rushed to court seeking the declaration of the election as not free, fair and credible; the nullification of Museveni’s victory; and orders for a rerun.

Now, just a month to the judgement day, Bobi Wine has threatened to pull his case out of the Supreme Court.

He and his NUP party have cited five reasons.

BIASED JUDGES

On February 16, Bobi Wine listed three judges he wanted out of his case, saying they had close links to Museveni, one of the respondents.

These are: Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Justice Mike Chibita and Ezekiel Muhanguzi.

Bobi Wine says these have either worked for Museveni and cannot be objective in their judgement.

OTHER REASONS: VERBATIM (As explained by Bobi Wine)

REFUSED TO FILE ON SATURDAY

Firstly, Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo rejected our request to file our petition on Saturday 30th January, 2021 even when we wrote to the Court formally.

They claimed that being a Saturday, the court registry would be closed!

Only one week later, Gen. Museveni’s lawyers requested the same court permission to file their response on the last day, which was a Saturday 6th February.

The court wrote back to them stating that they would open the registry all day on Saturday to enable them file their response! Even with these outright double standards, we decided to be patient!

We have made it clear that if the said justices refuse to step out of our case and the court continues to deny us the opportunity to file evidence, we shall be left with no option but to withdraw that Petition and take it back to the Court of the People!

AMENDED PETITION REJECTED

To make matters even worse, we filed our request to amend our Petition and add some other grounds against Museveni.

It will be recalled that right after the election, I was kept under house arrest until 25th January, when the High Court made orders for them to vacate.

They did not withdraw immediately after, meaning that I spent 11 days of the 15 days within which a petitioner can file a case, under illegal detention.

During this period, I was not permitted to interact with my lawyers, except once when they were granted access to me for a short time.

We therefore put together our petition hastily after I was released, in order to file it in time, well knowing that we had an opportunity to perfect it and file an amended one.

This was not the first time this was happening. In the Mbabazi versus Museveni petition, Hon. Amama Mbabazi was allowed to file an amended petition on 7th March 2016 a week after the petition had been filed on 1st March.

In that amended petition, he introduced 15 new grounds, and the Court allowed the amendment. In our case, we sought to introduce several grounds, but most importantly, a ground to the effect that Gen. Museveni was not qualified to stand in this election on account of a 2020 amendment to the Presidential Elections Act, which clearly stipulates that anyone who is connected to the organisation of an election is not permitted to run.

We had put together evidence to show that Museveni by his own statements and actions was directly involved in the organisation and preparation of the 2021 elections.

Unfortunately, Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo yet again rejected our amendment. It is our strong view that court rejected the introduction of this ground, seeing how strong it was.

Even then, we decided to keep optimistic and our legal team went back, working day and night to put evidence together to support the other grounds.

EVIDENCE REJECTED

In the most strange manner, on 11th February, Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo directed that all our affidavits must be filed by Sunday, 14th February.

Pleas from our legal team to reconsider this order went unheeded. It will be recalled that in the previous election petitions, affidavit evidence was continuously filed even during hearing.

In the two cases filed by Dr. Kizza Besigye against Museveni in 2001 and 2006, then Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki stated that affidavits in Presidential Election petitions ought to be continously filed, bearing in mind the short time given to parties.

Also, an election petition is an inquiry where fresh evidence ought to be admitted as it emerges.

In our circumstances, it is even more logical and necessary to file this evidence continuously because very many of our witnesses are still missing, having been abducted.

Others are at Kitalya and other prisons.

We made it clear that some of the documents we intended to rely on in court were locked up in our offices which have been under siege by the police and the military since election day.

They only withdrew from the premises yesterday, after the time for filing evidence (according to Mr. Owiny-Dollo) had passed.

Even when we were disgruntled by Mr. Owiny-Dollo’s orders, we nonetheless went into overdrive mode to assembled affidavits to the tune of 250- and we have over one hundred more affidavits which were not yet bound, given the strict timeliness.

Our team went to court towards 5:00pm on Sunday and only 50 affidavits were filed. We left the other affidavits with the court, hoping that the filing process would be completed on Monday morning.

Our lawyers were there as early as 7:00am.

They took copies of the affidavits we intended to file and read through them. It should be noted that we have assembled so much evidence of rigging, including attaching videos of pre-ticking ballot papers. We have evidence of very many polling stations where there was no voting at all.

We have affidavits of places where Byabakama claimed that 100% of the people voted, yet we sent teams and recorded very many registered voters in those communities who died, moved out of the country, etc.

Our lawyers almost took it obvious that this evidence would be filed, because up to now, it is in the custody of court. To our shock and dismay, we received a letter late in the night informing us that only 50 affidavits which were filed before 5:00pm on Sunday would be accepted. What a travesty!

THE JOKE OF 30 MINUTES ORAL SUBMISSIONS

In yet another strange and unprecedented move, Mr. Owiny-Dollo declared that oral submissions for our side would only take 30 minutes, and the rest of the arguments would be made in writing!

You can imagine a case of this magnitude being argued in 30 minutes. The value of oral submissions lies in enabling the citizens follow the proceedings so that they understand their case better.

You all recall that in the 2016 Mbabazi versus Museveni case, submissions went on for a full week, and the people of Uganda were able to follow what was going on via televisions and radio stations.

Now we have gone to the Supreme Court to complain about an election which Gen. Museveni held in total darkness, and yet the court also wants to hear our case in total darkness!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X

Related

Previous Post

Bobi Wine: Religious leaders fear Museveni more than God

Next Post

Museveni: We don’t kill our opponents like insecure, lazy Amin did

Pearl Times Reporter

Pearl Times Reporter

Latest Uganda news, politics, business, health and entertainment coverage.

Related Posts

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry LIST: See Names of Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Who Have Landed Government Payroll Jobs (Busoga Seed Schools) LIST: See Names of 1200 Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Shortlisted for Oral Interviews for Elgon Seed School Government Payroll Jobs (Bugisu, Sebei)
Education

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections
2026 Elections

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections

New Salary Structure: Shs12.75m for Each CAO, Town Clerk Every Month – Starting July 2025 Public Service Plans to Increase All Government Employees’ Salaries Starting July 2025 Over 4000 Ghost Workers Deleted from Government Payroll Good News as Museveni Government Increases Secondary School Science Head Teachers’ Salaries. See Details Full Salary Structure for 2024-2025 Financial Year: See How Much Each Government Employee Earns Monthly DELETED! Over 7,500 Government Employees Removed from Public Service Payroll NEW SALARY STRUCTURE: Science Teachers Announce Strike Starting Tomorrow as Second Term Begins
Employment

New Salary Structure: Shs12.75m for Each CAO, Town Clerk Every Month – Starting July 2025

Police Hunting for Ugandan Socialite Don Chris (See Why)
Crime

Police Hunting for Ugandan Socialite Don Chris (See Why)

Firing Squad for Corrupt UPDF Officers and Government Officials Who Have Stolen Shs1bn and Above – Museveni’s Son PEOPLE POWER? Gen Muhoozi Announces Date for Protest Against Parliament Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Lt Ariho, Lt Amon Ariho, Eng Amon Ariho, Ariho news, Muhoozi: Lt Ariho blood will be avenge, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba Lt Amon Ariho, Muhoozi Uganda news, Muhoozi news, The Pearl Times Uganda news, Muhoozi Demands Apology from US Government, AGOA Deal Reinstatement, $100bn Compensation for UPDF Work in Somalia SALARY INCREMENT for UPDF Officers: Here’s Who Will Get How Much Money Starting July 01
Crime

Firing Squad for Corrupt UPDF Officers and Government Officials Who Have Stolen Shs1bn and Above – Museveni’s Son

BIG FISH! Lulume Bayiga Joins Besigye's PFF After Losing DP Presidential Election to Norbert Mao
2026 Elections

BIG FISH! Lulume Bayiga Joins Besigye’s PFF After Losing DP Presidential Election to Norbert Mao

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad

Stay Connected

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga accuses lawyers Ebert Byenkya, Julius Galisonga and Bainomugisha of pressurizing him over compensation money for church land in Entebbe and Nsambya.

Archbishop Lwanga Reports Top City Lawyers to Museveni Over Church Money

Minister claims mafia after her life over minerals row

Why Museveni is keenly Watching Companies Donating to Covid19 Fund

More Ugandan Covid patients recover but doctors’ allowances delay

Museveni, sacked EC secretary Sam Rwakoojo and NUP leader Bobi Wine

Were Top EC bosses fired over Bobi Wine NUP Party or Ballot Paper Printing scandal?

Watchman Ministries Pastor and Prophet Elvis Mbonye's anointed Joseph Kabuleta has announced his 2021 presidential bid.

Prophet Mbonye’s ‘Anointed’ Kabuleta declares 2021 presidential bid

Former Kampala deputy lord mayor Sarah Kanyike is one of the six dropped ministers appointed senior presidential advisors.

NEW CABINET: Museveni consoles Six DROPPED Ministers with Presidential advisor positions

PAYMENT ALERTS: Allowances for Gulu Sitting Deposited on MPs’ Bank Accounts. See How Much

PAYMENT ALERTS: Allowances for Gulu Sitting Deposited on MPs’ Bank Accounts. See How Much

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry LIST: See Names of Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Who Have Landed Government Payroll Jobs (Busoga Seed Schools) LIST: See Names of 1200 Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Shortlisted for Oral Interviews for Elgon Seed School Government Payroll Jobs (Bugisu, Sebei)

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections

New Salary Structure: Shs12.75m for Each CAO, Town Clerk Every Month – Starting July 2025 Public Service Plans to Increase All Government Employees’ Salaries Starting July 2025 Over 4000 Ghost Workers Deleted from Government Payroll Good News as Museveni Government Increases Secondary School Science Head Teachers’ Salaries. See Details Full Salary Structure for 2024-2025 Financial Year: See How Much Each Government Employee Earns Monthly DELETED! Over 7,500 Government Employees Removed from Public Service Payroll NEW SALARY STRUCTURE: Science Teachers Announce Strike Starting Tomorrow as Second Term Begins

New Salary Structure: Shs12.75m for Each CAO, Town Clerk Every Month – Starting July 2025

Police Hunting for Ugandan Socialite Don Chris (See Why)

Police Hunting for Ugandan Socialite Don Chris (See Why)

Recent News

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry LIST: See Names of Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Who Have Landed Government Payroll Jobs (Busoga Seed Schools) LIST: See Names of 1200 Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Shortlisted for Oral Interviews for Elgon Seed School Government Payroll Jobs (Bugisu, Sebei)

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections

New Salary Structure: Shs12.75m for Each CAO, Town Clerk Every Month – Starting July 2025 Public Service Plans to Increase All Government Employees’ Salaries Starting July 2025 Over 4000 Ghost Workers Deleted from Government Payroll Good News as Museveni Government Increases Secondary School Science Head Teachers’ Salaries. See Details Full Salary Structure for 2024-2025 Financial Year: See How Much Each Government Employee Earns Monthly DELETED! Over 7,500 Government Employees Removed from Public Service Payroll NEW SALARY STRUCTURE: Science Teachers Announce Strike Starting Tomorrow as Second Term Begins

New Salary Structure: Shs12.75m for Each CAO, Town Clerk Every Month – Starting July 2025

Police Hunting for Ugandan Socialite Don Chris (See Why)

Police Hunting for Ugandan Socialite Don Chris (See Why)

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

The Pearl Times

The Pearl Times Is an online media publication for news and analysis from Uganda, the Greatest lakes Region and the world. The Pearl Times is your trusted source of news and analysis from Uganda and the rest of the world in the beats of politics, business, entertainment, technology, education and health.

Follow Us

Popular Posts

  • From Solomon Sserwanja's 'Audio' to Kakwanzi 'Leaked Video,' Here's How to Verify Fake or AI Generated Videos, Audios Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa: So-Called Leaked Video & Dirty Politics of Western Youth MP Elections?

    Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa: So-Called Leaked Video & Dirty Politics of Western Youth MP Elections?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Leaked Video’ Aside, Who are Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa’s Opponents in Western Youth MP Election?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • IN PICTURES: Interesting Photos of Elizabeth Kakwanzi Katanywa Strategizing for Western Youth MP Position

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent News

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry LIST: See Names of Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Who Have Landed Government Payroll Jobs (Busoga Seed Schools) LIST: See Names of 1200 Teachers, Non-Teaching Staff Shortlisted for Oral Interviews for Elgon Seed School Government Payroll Jobs (Bugisu, Sebei)

LIST: See Names of 57 New Secondary School Headteachers Appointed by Education Ministry

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections

DETAILS: UPDF, Police, Prisons Recruiting Over 20000 Officers Ahead of 2026 Elections

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2024 - The Pearl Times by The Pearl Times.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Business
    • Sports
    • World
  • 2026 Elections
  • People
  • Featured
  • Viewsroom
  • PROSE & POETRY
  • Archives

© 2024 - The Pearl Times by The Pearl Times.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.