Lyomoki in court to avert recall

Nov 11, 2004

BESIEGED workers’ MP Sam Lyomoki has run to court to save his threatened parliamentary seat.

By Stephen Muwambi
BESIEGED workers’ MP Sam Lyomoki has run to court to save his threatened parliamentary seat.
Lyomoki filed a case with the High Court on November 9, to foil a public enquiry into a petition seeking his recall from Parliament.
He filed the case with leaders of seven trade unions, who are loyal to his recently formed Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions.
His constituents, under their umbrella body, NOTU, lodged the petition with Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi on November 5, accusing the legislator of deserting them.
Ssekandi passed over the petition to the Electoral Commission, which in turn, wrote to Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki to appoint a judge to enquire into the petition.
Represented by Sebalu, Lule and Company Advocates, Lyomoki dismisses the October 29 workers’ extra-ordinary meeting, which petitioned his recall from parliament, as illegal and unconstitutional.
In his August 9 affidavit, Lyomoki, who sues the Electoral Commission and NOTU, argues, “The whole process of the recall breaches the Trade Unions Act and NOTU constitution.”
Lyomoki said the central governing council, which called the conference, had in attendance non-members, citing John Prong and Joseph Wamambuko as examples.
Adds Lyomoki, “Uganda Government Workers Union (UGAWU) was alleged to have been represented by its chairman, general secretary, permanent representatives and national treasurer.”
UGAWU general secretary Bob Sifuna supported Lyomoki’s argument, that fake UGAWU leaders attended and voted at the controversial meeting.
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