Court Reinstates Eastern Youth NRM Parliamentary Candidate Bernard Odoi

The High Civil Divisions in Kampala has reinstated Bernard Odoi Onen, the National Resistance Movement-NRM candidate for the Eastern Youth parliamentary elections. Onen petitioned High court after Electoral Commission cancelled his nomination on December 31st, 2020 on grounds that he was ineligible to run for the youth parliamentary seat because he was above 30 years.      

However, in his petition, Onen argued that prior to his nomination, he submitted National Identity card to the Electoral Commission indicating that he was born on August 28th, 1991 as evidence to prove that he was a youth and upon satisfaction, the EC duly nominated him.   

He however, says that its December 31st, 2020 decision, the Electoral Commission disregarded his official evidence of a birth certificate and National Identity Card issued by NIRA and rather relied on the fabricated and uncertified photocopies presented by his opponents to denominate him from the race.       

Now, in a judgment delivered by email on Sunday, Justice Emmanuel Baguma, says Onen was validly nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest for the office of Eastern Region youth Representative. He faults Electoral Commission for denominating Onen basing on allegations, saying he is eligible to run for the Eastern Youth MP seat. Onen has welcomed the court decision saying that he is now back in the race and ready to serve the youth in Eastern Region.

David Anyanzo, the Eastern Region Elections Officer told journalists that his office has received information from their headquarters about the court reinstating Oneni in the race and they have started the process.  

The Eastern Region Youth parliamentary race has attracted contestants. They are FDC’s Solomon Nabuyanda, the National Resistance Movement’s, Bernard Odoi Onen and independent candidates, Jacklyn Ajego, Sumaya Balunywa Aliza and Thadeo Wanyama.    

2200 delegates representing the youths from Eastern region have converged at Mbale secondary School in Mbale City head of the elections on Monday. Alfred Ogwen, one of the candidates is hopeful the election will be free and fair. He says that he has played his part of talking to the electorates and expects victory.

Ahmed Kigenyi, the Busia district youth chairperson, says they are ready to vote a candidate who will deliver services to the young people in the region and represent the youths candidly in Parliament.