In a by- election conducted in 2022 which saw NRM’s Herbert Edmund Ariko declared the winner of the Soroti city West,
Moses Attan Okia one of the candidates in the race rejected the results and petitioned the high court arguing that the elections were marred with grave irregularities including massive ballot stuffing, voter bribery, intimidation and imprisonment of party leaders by the state machinery.
In his ruling Justice Musa Ssekana said the petitioner failed to produce enough evidence to convince the judge.
He said that there was no evidence to show the alleged irregularities on none compliance saying the petitioner was just trying to make a mountain of lies.
The judge dismissed with costs the petition filed against Ariko.
Responding to the court ruling, Soroti City East MP Herbert Edmund Ariko called upon the people of Soroti City East to unite and work together to develop the city.
Soroti City East Mayor Paul Omer said that FDC party is going to study the verdict and pronounce itself on wat next.
A section of voters from Soroti City West were querying the legality of Aloet and Opiyai wards which participated in the Soroti City East By- Elections and yet they had already voted for the Soroti city West MP.
Micheal Enyangu and three others through their lawyers had petitioned court over what they called unconstitutional Acts and Omissions of not deleting over 5,000 voters from the two wards.
According to the complaints the voters of the two wards voted twice in the Soroti City West general elections and Soroti East By-elections.
They had asked court to set aside the elections of Soroti city West MP Jonathan Ebwalu and order for by-elections.
The presiding High Court Judge, Justice Musa Ssekana while delivering his ruling said the petition was filed out of time.
The Judge however, dismissed the petition with costs.