MOROTO, Uganda — Proceedings at Moroto High Court were briefly disrupted yesterday after rival parties in an election petition nearly exchanged blows over election evidence that had been blown away by a sudden gust of wind.
The incident involved Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Esther Anyakun and her political rival, Lopuwa Lilly, whose supporters reportedly moved towards the minister after she picked up some of the scattered documents and sat on them.
The presiding judge, Vincent Opyene, intervened to restore order and restrain Lilly’s supporters, who were attempting to recover the documents.
The incident occurred in the afternoon during the cross-examination of Nakapiripirit District Electoral Commission registrar January Otim. A sudden gust of wind swept through the packed courtroom, scattering evidence materials, including declaration forms and sworn affidavits from disputed polling stations.
According to the account of the proceedings, Anyakun picked up some of the documents and concealed them beneath herself on the front bench, prompting an angry reaction from members of the opposing camp.
“Please, Minister, do give back to the owners what belongs to them,” Justice Opyene reportedly said as he sought to restore calm.
Anyakun subsequently returned the documents to the petitioners’ lawyers and apologised to the judge, saying the evidence had been lost but recovered.
The incident occurred on the second day of the hearing of an election petition filed by Lilly against Anyakun and the Electoral Commission over the January 15 parliamentary elections in Nakapiripirit District.
The petition alleges gross electoral irregularities, voter bribery, intimidation and excessive deployment of the military during the elections.
The courtroom drama was followed by further criticism of the minister’s conduct. Lawyers reportedly expressed displeasure over what they described as disrespectful behaviour, alleging that Anyakun danced while leaving the dock following a heated cross-examination.
During his closing remarks, Justice Opyene urged both parties to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law and pursue reconciliation. He set November 14 as the date for delivering the final ruling.
The hearing attracted relatives, witnesses and supporters of the rival parties. Some attendees also questioned the absence of representatives from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Parliament and government ministries.
The courtroom tension followed another reported incident the previous day, when Anyakun allegedly insulted a witness associated with Lilly.
The witness, identified as Thiwa Odimbe, was reportedly returning from the washrooms when the minister accused him of leaking information to her political rival and allegedly claimed that he was infested with jiggers.
Lawyers representing both parties reportedly intervened and cautioned the minister against such conduct, warning that it could affect the proceedings and potentially undermine her position in the case.
Anyakun has also previously been associated with controversy surrounding the distribution of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja during a government disarmament programme. The controversy, commonly referred to as the “mabati saga,” raised questions about the distribution of materials intended to benefit communities affected by the exercise.
The High Court is expected to deliver its ruling on 14 November bringing the election petition to a decision.
