Uganda opposition leader Dr Kiiza Besigye. [Photo|bbc.com]
Uganda’s opposition leader Dr Kiiza Besigye has praised Kenya’s Supreme Court following the nullification of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election.
Besigye who has been arrested several times in his quest to unseat President Yoweri Museveni who has been in power for 31 years lauded the court’s decision to order for fresh elections after finding out that the August 8 presidential election was grossly mismanaged.
“Kenya’s presidential election annulled!! Constitution and electoral laws were violated. Fresh election in 60 days. Momentous!” the Forum for Democratic Change party president posted on Twitter minutes after the court ruling.
Kenya’s Supreme Court on Friday nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election calling for a re-run between the president and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Four judges ruled in favour of the opposition NASA’s petition challenging the results, while two—Njoki Ndung’u and Jackton Ojwang—ruled against.
Raila had filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging Uhuru’s re-election claiming the August 8 presidential election was grossly mismanaged and IEBC’s declaration that Uhuru won was not done without adherence to election laws.
Besigye first announced his intention to vie for the presidency in 2000 against Museveni. He retired from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in 2001, having attained the rank of colonel.
During his campaign, Besigye, who then was Museveni's strongest opponent, accused Museveni’s government of widespread corruption and pushed for an end to Museveni's “Movement” system, which he claimed had served its purpose as an instrument in Uganda’s political transition to multiparty democracy.
Besigye, however, lost the election, which was marred by claims of widespread vote rigging, violence and coercion of voters.
In March 2001 he petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the election results. A panel of five judges voted 5-0 that there had been cheating but decided 3-2 not to annul the elections.
Besigye also contested for the presidential election in 2006, 2011 and 2016 but lost although he claims he was rigged out.
He has been arrested and detained several times with the last incident happening in October 15, 2015.