Rose Nalubowa, the political rival of Justine Nameere, has announced plans to take her election dispute to the High Court after withdrawing her petition from the Masaka court.
Earlier this week, Nalubowa pulled out her case from the Masaka Magistrates Court, arguing that Justice Peter Kinobe lacked fairness and impartiality to handle the matter.
Through her lawyer, Samwel Muyinzi Mulindwa, Nalubowa claimed that Kinobe is an NRM cadre who previously contested in the 2021 party primaries, and therefore could not objectively preside over a case involving an opposition candidate.
The petition sought to challenge a vote recount that had earlier declared Justine Nameere the winner of the elections following a controversial process.
Nalubowa now says she is shifting the battle to the High Court, where she hopes the results will be nullified.
“I cannot expect justice from Peter Kinobe, who is an NRM cadre. He cannot rule in favour of an opposition candidate. We asked him to recuse himself and he refused. That is why we withdrew the petition and are now moving to the High Court to have the elections declared null and void,” she said.
On her part, Justine Nameere insists she won the elections fairly and remains confident that the courts will uphold her victory.
The case is now expected to continue at the High Court as the political standoff intensifies.