Lawyers thrown out of ministry offices
Dec 07, 2004
Military Police yesterday forced Uganda Law Society (ULS) members and journalists out of the Ministry of Water headquarters on parliament Avenue in Kampala.
By Herbert Ssempogo
Military Police yesterday forced Uganda Law Society (ULS) members and journalists out of the Ministry of Water headquarters on parliament Avenue in Kampala.
Jonathan Tibibasa, who is in charge of land registration, summoned the soldiers when ULS president Moses Adriko and a four-man team sought his audience.
“Who are you? How many are you?†a stout security officer asked as his colleagues entered Tibibasa’s office.
A female staff had earlier asked Adriko how his team had accessed the building.
Standing in the corridor and looking composed, Adriko introduced himself, his team and reporters from New Vision and WBS TV.
“We are here to exercise our statutory right. Why should we be denied access?†he calmly asked.
Not satisfied with his explanation, the men ordered the press and ULS members to leave the building.
ULS had not informed the ministry of their visit but Adriko said it was a public building that could be accessed by anyone.
Gun-wielding men had also denied them access to the land titles registry, which Adriko described as chaotic.
Earlier, the ULS team had visited the Administrator General and Uganda Registration Services Bureau offices.
While there, Adriko condemned the delays in processing documents.
“These are stores of wealth for Ugandans and investors but they come here and cannot get served,†he said.
A crowd was waiting at the bureau but there was nobody at the inquiries desk. Bureau chief Anthony Kanyike said they were aware of the problems and would soon address them.
Mid this year, two gunmen held hostage two Ministry of Water employees for over eight hours before the intruders were arrested.
ends
Military Police yesterday forced Uganda Law Society (ULS) members and journalists out of the Ministry of Water headquarters on parliament Avenue in Kampala.
Jonathan Tibibasa, who is in charge of land registration, summoned the soldiers when ULS president Moses Adriko and a four-man team sought his audience.
“Who are you? How many are you?†a stout security officer asked as his colleagues entered Tibibasa’s office.
A female staff had earlier asked Adriko how his team had accessed the building.
Standing in the corridor and looking composed, Adriko introduced himself, his team and reporters from New Vision and WBS TV.
“We are here to exercise our statutory right. Why should we be denied access?†he calmly asked.
Not satisfied with his explanation, the men ordered the press and ULS members to leave the building.
ULS had not informed the ministry of their visit but Adriko said it was a public building that could be accessed by anyone.
Gun-wielding men had also denied them access to the land titles registry, which Adriko described as chaotic.
Earlier, the ULS team had visited the Administrator General and Uganda Registration Services Bureau offices.
While there, Adriko condemned the delays in processing documents.
“These are stores of wealth for Ugandans and investors but they come here and cannot get served,†he said.
A crowd was waiting at the bureau but there was nobody at the inquiries desk. Bureau chief Anthony Kanyike said they were aware of the problems and would soon address them.
Mid this year, two gunmen held hostage two Ministry of Water employees for over eight hours before the intruders were arrested.
ends