By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The Election of Muhammad Ssegirinya as new the new Member of Parliament for Kawempe North hangs in balance as one of the contenders petitions UNEB and Courts of law seeking for a verification of his academic documents submitted for nomination.
Ssegirinya, who stood on the National Unity Platform ticket, defeated incumbent Latif Ssebaggala, Mahmood Mutazindwa (FDC), and former Deputy Lord Mayor Sulaiman Kidandala in the last parliamentary election.
UNEB now says that Muhammad Ssegirinya submitted documents that belong to Sarah Nampiima at O-level while at A-level, he submitted documents that belong to Maureen Nabadda.
Accordingly, the Homeland Newspaper has learnt that, Kidandala, one of the contestants he defeated has since petitioned high court and UNEB, challenging Ssegirinya’s academic documents and seeks his election nullified.
In a letter dated March 17, 2021, Peter Anywar, writing on behalf of the executive secretary UNEB Dan Odongo, noted: “We have checked in our records and our findings are as follows; Candidate U005/054(2017) is Nampiima Sarah who sat at Mengo Secondary School not Ssegirinya Richard sitting at Pimbas Secondary School.”
The letter added: “The candidate U005/754 is Nabadda Maureen who sat at Mengo Secondary school not Ssegirinya Richard at Pimbas secondary school.”
The Presidential Elections Act 2005, the Parliamentary Elections Act of 2005 and the Local Government Elections (amendment) Act 2005, require all prospective aspirants for positions of the President, Members of Parliament and district chairpersons to have completed a minimum formal education of advanced level standard by UNEB or its equivalent.
Ahead of the 2021 general elections, UNEB issued a circular to all the political aspirants to verify their academic documents.
The aspirants were required to submit copies of their certificates to be verified, an introductory letter from the respective schools, a copy of the National ID in addition to paying Uganda shillings 600,000 as verification fee.
Through his lawyers at Alaka and Company Advocates, Muhammad Ssegirinya who used the name of Ssegirinya Richard (he later converted to Islam) at the time submitted his academic credentials for verification.
This new development means that Muhammad Ssegirinya’s election hangs in balance and if challenged in court, he could be thrown out.
More details will be availed as it unfolds. Keep reading the Homeland Newspaper for accurate and independent journalism. Send Email:homelandnewspaper@gmail.com
