FDC sues for registration

Nov 15, 2004

THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has asked the High Court to order the Registrar General to register them

By S. Muwambi and J. Etyang

THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has asked the High Court to order the Registrar General to register them.

Fourteen FDC leaders led by the three interim co-chairpersons Augustine Ruzindana, Sam Njuba and Chapaa Karuhanga, petitioned the High Court to order the Registrar General, Kyomuhendo Bisereko, to register the party.

They said they had fulfilled all the requirements but Bisereko had refused to register the party within the mandatory 30 days after application. They said the 30 days ended on October 1.
“The applicants have fulfilled all the requirements to register a political party or organisation, but the respondent (the Registrar General), refused, neglected and or failed to gazette their application, as required by section 7(4) of the Political Parties Act (POA),” the application said.

Wandera Ogalo, the chairman of the party’s legal committee, said they were seeking an order of mandamus, which directs a public officer to perform a duty he or she is required of by law.

He said the order was sought when the public officer was under intimidation, or manipulation not to perform their duties, adding that Bisereko would be arrested and
imprisoned if he refused to comply after a court order.
“It will not be the Government which is liable but the Registrar General,” Ogalo said at a a press conference at the party’s offices in Kamwokya yesterday.

The other petitioners include Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, former Mengo minister Joyce Ssebugwawo, MPs Alex Onzima (Maracha), Jack Sabiiti (Rukiga), Dr. Frank Nabwiso (Kagoma) and Alice Alaso (Soroti women).
Others are Dr. Kizza Besigye’s former senior campaigner, Prince Vincent Kimera, former Rukungiri LC5 chairman Athanasius Rutaro, journalist Wafula Oguttu and Sheikh Katuramu.

John Matovu, a member of the FDC legal committee, filed the petition.
High Court deputy registrar Godfrey Namundi yesterday had not yet allocated the case to a judge.

FDC submitted its application for registration on September 1, 2004, but the registrar had not gazetted it by last Friday.

Ogalo said if the party was registered by the end of this week, the court case would be dropped. Government spokesman Dr. Nsaba Buturo said last week that FDC would be registered in December.

Matovu said the excuses which have been given for the delayed registration of FDC could not be given to the court.
“These are delaying tactics so that we do not reach the grassroots,” Matovu said.

The chairman FDC working committee MP Reagan Okumu, said the court action was a last resort.

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