The appellants then considered each alleged incident of bribery one by one as follows:
1. Bribery at the home of Namwandu – Zziwa.
In his affidavit, Muwonge George deponed that on the 21st February 2006
at the home of Ms Namwandu Zziwa, he saw the 2nd appellant offer
Ug.Shs.250,000/= to one Semyalo Patrick who in turn gave it to Namwandu
Zziwa. The money was for soliciting votes from the drama group.
In the same affidavit, Muwonge George saw the 2nd appellant at the home
of one Birato offer shillings one thousand each to one Nyonjo Kawalaata,
Kiiza Lukooya and others whose names he did not know for votes. The 2nd
appellant also gave Muwonge George Shs.500= for the same purpose.
It is the contention of the appellants that the said affidavit did not state that
one or any of the groups was a registered voter. According to counsel for the
appellants, the learned trial Judge chose to believe Muwonge George, a single
witness and apparently confessed criminal who claimed to have received part
of the money, leaving the affidavits in rebuttal of the alleged bribery.
Counsel for the appellants pointed out that the affidavit of the 2nd appellant,
and those of Patrick Senjolo, Margaret Nantongo alias Namwandu Zziwa,
Oguzwa David and Maali alias Kawalaata all rebutted the allegations of
bribery but the trial Judge did not believe them. According to appellants’
counsel, the incident of the alleged bribery was not proved.
2. Bribery at Walusubi Village
There was a campaign rally at the village on 20th February 2006.
According to the affidavit evidence of one Mugambwa Hamuzah and Asadi
Ddembe, both witnesses attended the rally. The 2nd appellant during the
rally offered Shs.150,000/= to the residents to have two boreholes repaired
provided they voted for him.
It is the contention of the appellants that the names of residents were not