High Court Dismisses Application To Block Elections in Newly Created Constituencies

The High Court has dismissed an application in which city lawyer Ben Muhumuza wanted to block elections in 89 constituencies that were created after July 26, 2013 the time the Local Government Act was amended.

In his application, Muhumuza wanted court to issue a permanent injunction restraining the Electoral Commission from nominating any candidates for parliamentary elections

Muhumuza argued that in 2013 when the Local Government Act was amended, counties, as an administrative level, were abolished by repealing sections of part V of the law which provided for administrative units based on the county, parish or ward and village.

He wanted the court to declare the creation of these constituencies irrational and illegal, arguing that Cabinet had no authority to create the new counties.

However, today, Justice Musa Ssekaana the Deputy Head of Civil Division noted that Muhumuza had not proved that they will suffer irreparable damages if elections proceeded in the constituencies.