From elections and now election petitions as either party struggle to retain their seats or overturn what was announced in the January polls.
But those who have already been there are now warning petitioners to brace for a rough ride saying the road to electoral justice is an expensive haul.
The road to electoral justice is a intense and expensive journey, one the Luweero Woman MP, Brenda Nabukenya will forever live to tell.
Between 2011 and 2016, Nabukenya battled three petitions, one contesting her win in the general election, one her nomination and another contesting her name.
This saw her participate in four elections; two by elections and two general elections.
“I used to go to court four times a week while I also needed to be in parliament,” Nabukenya told NBS TV.
Nabukenya decries the emotional and financial stress that came with the petitions.
“I spent close to Shs 120m for the four years I spent in court. I won one petition lost 3 petitions had to pay costs for all.”
It is not only candidates that fell the financial pressure but also the institutions charged with dispensing justice.
For the ongoing election petitions, the judiciary has out aside Shs 1.2 billion to finance the judges allowances and accommodation.
In addition, the judiciary spokesperson Jameson Karemani said 30 judges have been tasked to handle elections petitions for 2 months.
But while they are away, what is at stake for others seeking justice in other non election cases?
“This has come at a cost on other cases some of whom had fixed hearings handled by those judges. On average, in two months the minimum a judge was expected to dispose off be 20 cases,” Karemani said.
At the Electoral Commission, Shs 2 billion has been budgeted for this financial year to handle by-elections.
Electoral Commission spokesperson, Paul Bukenya, said the law prescribes that vacancies at local government and district level should be occupied within six months and 60 days respectively.
“The size of the electoral area… if it’s a city or a district / small constituency determines funding. On average it costs around Shs 300m to organise a by election,” Bukenya said.
Beyond what catches the eye in election petitions, political interference and bribery allegations cannot be missed.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago said that bribery of judges, and political interference plays a part.
