Troubled, jailed Kantinti sent back to Luzira for another 6 months

By Sania Babirye

Troubled former Forum Democratic change Kyadongo East MP Apollo Kantinti troubles seems to never end.

Today, Katinti has been committed to Luzira prison to serve another six months for failing to pay 108 million shillings to his political rival NRMs Sitende Ssebalu in legal costs.

The money rose out of an election petition filed by Sitende challenging Kantinti's victory which Sebalu won after court nullified Kantinti's victory and ordered for fresh elections which was won by the now local musician turned politician Hon.Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu also known as Bobiwine.

Kantinti who is already serving a six month sentence in Luzira prison for failing to pay a 260 out of the 300 million loan to Standard Chartered bank was brought in court today, after Ssebalu after knowing his predicament also asked court for a warrant of arrest to have him settle his debt.

And as a result, Kantinti who has already spent 10 days in Luzira prison was arrested by court bailiffs led by Moses Kirunda and arraigned before high court deputy registrar Flavia Naboakooza.

However when the judge asked him if he was ready to clear Ssebalu's debt, the troubled former legislator instead chose another six months in Luzira prison saying he was not in position to pay Ssebalu the said debt.

And as a result, the judge sent him to Luzira prison to serve another six month and ordered Ssebalu to do his duty of paying 3000 shillings to Luzira prison in feeding him.

Kantinti was meant to clear the bank within which he acquired in 2016 in 50 installments in a period of four years which he did default on but has however told court that he is willing to pay the said loan and was in talk with the bank to negotiate on the terms of payments.

But according to court documents he started defaulting on the bank loan in 2017 which forced court to issue a warrant of arrest for him in May this year before he was arrested and committed at Luzira Limits on the 27th of last month.

In April 2017, the court of appeal three justices led by Richard Butera, Cheborion Balishaki and Paul Mugamba unanimously upheld the high court decision ruling by justice Henry Kaweesa that had had nullified Kantinti's victory as Kyadongo East MP on grounds that there was indeed various electoral Mal-practices including non compliance with electoral laws by the Electoral commission while conducting the said election which affected the results in a substantial manner.

According to the justices, Kantinti's win could not be ascertained since results from mine polling stations were not tallied in the final tally yet over 5000 voters were disenfranchised.