Sebaggala told to restrain supporters

Dec 03, 2009

KAMPALA city mayor Nasser Sebaggala has been ordered to restrain his supporters from molesting Democratic Party (DP) leaders.

By Hillary Nsambu

KAMPALA city mayor Nasser Sebaggala has been ordered to restrain his supporters from molesting Democratic Party (DP) leaders.

High Court judge Vincent Tiwangye Zehurikize issued the order after lawyers representing the party leaders told court that its clients were molested a week ago by the mayor’s supporters.

The DP lawyers, John Baptist Kakooza, Abdallah Kiwanuka and Peter Ssebyuma, said Sebaggala’s “youth brigade” molested party officials John Ssebaana Kizito, Joseph Mukiibi, Joseph Balikuddembe, Erias Lukwago and Damiano Lubega as they were leaving the court premises.

The lawyers also said the rowdy supporters attempted to shatter the windscreens of their clients’ cars.

The judge advised Sebaggala to restrain his supporters from assaulting the DP officials since they claim that they all belong to the same party.

The judge also ordered Sebaggala’s supporters to observe law and order when they are in court or within court premises.

The party lawyers added that the officials feared for their lives, particularly after hearing that Sebaggala was mobilising his ‘youth brigade’ on different FM radio stations, asking them to attend court yesterday. They also said they had written to the court asking for protection.
However, the judge said that he had no capacity to give the DP officials security, but encouraged them to use the security given to the courts.

Hassan Kamba, the lawyer representing Sebaggala, however, challenged the DP lawyers to show proof that his client had mobilised the ‘youth brigade’ as they had alleged.

Although Kamba did not respond to the assault and molestation of the DP officials, he also regretted the incident.
Last month, Sebaggala sued the party leaders for putting off the party’s delegates conference that had been scheduled for November 26.

The DP lawyer, Abdallah Kiwanuka, told journalists yesterday after the court session that the delegates conference would be held in February 2010.

The lawyer had told Justice Zehurikize that the two wrangling sides had failed to reach a settlement as the court had directed earlier.

The lawyer assured the court that an affidavit, which they intended to present to court, mentioning the dates for the delegates conference and the grassroots elections for the party, would solve Sebaggala’s anxiety.

Sebaggala’s lawyer Kamba had opposed DP’s application to adjourn the matter, saying they were deliberately delaying the hearing of their case.

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