VP did not storm out of court
Jun 20, 2011
EDITOR: The Office of the Vice President would like to clarify on media reports alleging that the vice president on June 14 stormed out of Masaka Court where a petition challenging his election was being heard.
EDITOR: The Office of the Vice President would like to clarify on media reports alleging that the vice president on June 14 stormed out of Masaka Court where a petition challenging his election was being heard.
Prior to the open court session, all parties including the petitioner, respondent and their lawyers met in the judge’s chambers where certain issues related to the petition were handled.
All parties understood that it was not necessary for Vice President Edward Sekandi to personally continue attending court as he had urgent official assignments to attend to. However, it was left at his discretion and liberty as when to leave.
Following this understanding, he attended the initial hearing and later left for Kampala. None of his security guards entered the court room armed.
If there were any armed personnel in court they were not part of the vice president's security. To impute, therefore, that the vice president walked out of court in protest is a biased allegation construed to undermine the person of the vice president who holds the country’s judicial system in high regard and whose track record as a law-abiding citizen need not to be overemphasised.
James Mutuluza
Mututa James
Ag. Press Secretary to the Vice President
Prior to the open court session, all parties including the petitioner, respondent and their lawyers met in the judge’s chambers where certain issues related to the petition were handled.
All parties understood that it was not necessary for Vice President Edward Sekandi to personally continue attending court as he had urgent official assignments to attend to. However, it was left at his discretion and liberty as when to leave.
Following this understanding, he attended the initial hearing and later left for Kampala. None of his security guards entered the court room armed.
If there were any armed personnel in court they were not part of the vice president's security. To impute, therefore, that the vice president walked out of court in protest is a biased allegation construed to undermine the person of the vice president who holds the country’s judicial system in high regard and whose track record as a law-abiding citizen need not to be overemphasised.
James Mutuluza
Mututa James
Ag. Press Secretary to the Vice President