Court to rule on KCC bank accounts
Sep 23, 2010
KAMPAL City Council (KCC) has to wait another week for the High Court to pronounce itself on the fate of its frozen accounts.
By Charles Ariko
KAMPAL City Council (KCC) has to wait another week for the High Court to pronounce itself on the fate of its frozen accounts.
The accounts, in six banks, were frozen last month following a directive from mayor Hajji Nasser Sebaggala in a bid to stop the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, from continuing to act as signatory to the accounts.
Kijjambu had been removed from her post by the local government ministry.
She later petitioned the High Court which recently ruled in her favour to remain in office until October 5.
However, KCC’s operations have since grounded to a halt due to lack of funds resulting from the freezing of the accounts.
The councillors, represented by Caleb Alaka, are seeking an order to compel the banks to re-open the accounts.
This was during a session on Wednesday presided over by Justice Yorokamu Bamwine.
Alaka and the lawyers representing the banks, however, clashed over who should meet the costs of the suit.
Alaka had earlier said he was willing to disengage the banks from the suit so as to shorten the litigation process.
The other lawyers argued that the costs of the suit have to be met by those who filed the case.
After a heated argument, Alaka suggested that the case proceeds, calling upon court to decide who should pay the costs.
The judge gave the parties a week to handle the matter, advising them not to close avenues for further negotiation.
KAMPAL City Council (KCC) has to wait another week for the High Court to pronounce itself on the fate of its frozen accounts.
The accounts, in six banks, were frozen last month following a directive from mayor Hajji Nasser Sebaggala in a bid to stop the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, from continuing to act as signatory to the accounts.
Kijjambu had been removed from her post by the local government ministry.
She later petitioned the High Court which recently ruled in her favour to remain in office until October 5.
However, KCC’s operations have since grounded to a halt due to lack of funds resulting from the freezing of the accounts.
The councillors, represented by Caleb Alaka, are seeking an order to compel the banks to re-open the accounts.
This was during a session on Wednesday presided over by Justice Yorokamu Bamwine.
Alaka and the lawyers representing the banks, however, clashed over who should meet the costs of the suit.
Alaka had earlier said he was willing to disengage the banks from the suit so as to shorten the litigation process.
The other lawyers argued that the costs of the suit have to be met by those who filed the case.
After a heated argument, Alaka suggested that the case proceeds, calling upon court to decide who should pay the costs.
The judge gave the parties a week to handle the matter, advising them not to close avenues for further negotiation.