Court okays sebaggala DP meeting
Oct 14, 2004
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Hajji Nasser Sebaggala’s controversial Democratic Party (DP) National Council meeting is on today, after the High Court yesterday dismissed an injunction by the party leaders to block it.<br><br><br>
By Stephen Muwambi, Jude Etyang & Herbert Sempogo
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Hajji Nasser Sebaggala’s controversial Democratic Party (DP) National Council meeting is on today, after the High Court yesterday dismissed an injunction by the party leaders to block it.
The ruling cleared the last hurdle to hold the meeting, which is to decide to register DP or not.
Justice Okumu Wengi said blocking the meeting would not prejudice another leadership wrangle among DP chiefs, filed in 2000. Deciding the DP registration was not an issue in the case, he said. The dispute was about the national council’s decision to replace party chief Paul Ssemogerere with Francis Bwengye, a faction leader.
The Police yesterday also authorised the meeting which takes place at Namboole Stadium, near Kampala city. Kampala regional Police chief Benson Nyeko said, “We are aware (of the meeting).â€
He, however, warned that all activities be restricted indoors.
Deputy Registrar Godfrey Namundi, who on Wednesday refused to handle the application, read Okumu-Wengi’s ruling, after a morning of heated arguments.
Okumu said DP treasurer John Ssebaana Kizito, who applied for the injunction, ought to have filed a fresh case against the registration of the party, if he intended to block the meeting.
Ssebaana’s application was filed against secretary general Mariano Drametu, the convener of the meeting, and also the defendant in the 2000 case.
“Drametu has demonstrated that there is no case in court pending against the meeting,†said Okumu-Wengi, throwing the victors into wild ululation.
Okumu-Wengi also ordered Ssebaana and co-applicants to meet Drametu’s expenses for defending the injunction.
Erias Lukwago, representing Ssebaana, passionately asked Okumu to call off the meeting, saying it was illegal.
DP bigwigs who support the meeting filled the courtroom and ululated after the ruling.
Deputy president general Zachary Olum, Bwengye, Sebaggala’s spokesman Mike Mabikke, MPs Rainer Kafiire and Issa Kikungwe, and Robert Kitariko sung DP Egumiire, the party slogan.
Olum said the ruling was a victory over leaders opposed to the rejuvenation of the party.
The losers, led by Ssebaana Kizito, remained glued to their seats, pondering the loss.
Sebaggala yesterday said he would take the day at the meeting because 27 of 36 members in the council supported immediate registration.
He also warned that the meeting would be guarded by his seyas (fans) and that anybody who tried to disrupt the meeting would face it.
Sebaggala said the meeting would set off a revolution in DP, and the conservative leaders would be deposed.
Ends
PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Hajji Nasser Sebaggala’s controversial Democratic Party (DP) National Council meeting is on today, after the High Court yesterday dismissed an injunction by the party leaders to block it.
The ruling cleared the last hurdle to hold the meeting, which is to decide to register DP or not.
Justice Okumu Wengi said blocking the meeting would not prejudice another leadership wrangle among DP chiefs, filed in 2000. Deciding the DP registration was not an issue in the case, he said. The dispute was about the national council’s decision to replace party chief Paul Ssemogerere with Francis Bwengye, a faction leader.
The Police yesterday also authorised the meeting which takes place at Namboole Stadium, near Kampala city. Kampala regional Police chief Benson Nyeko said, “We are aware (of the meeting).â€
He, however, warned that all activities be restricted indoors.
Deputy Registrar Godfrey Namundi, who on Wednesday refused to handle the application, read Okumu-Wengi’s ruling, after a morning of heated arguments.
Okumu said DP treasurer John Ssebaana Kizito, who applied for the injunction, ought to have filed a fresh case against the registration of the party, if he intended to block the meeting.
Ssebaana’s application was filed against secretary general Mariano Drametu, the convener of the meeting, and also the defendant in the 2000 case.
“Drametu has demonstrated that there is no case in court pending against the meeting,†said Okumu-Wengi, throwing the victors into wild ululation.
Okumu-Wengi also ordered Ssebaana and co-applicants to meet Drametu’s expenses for defending the injunction.
Erias Lukwago, representing Ssebaana, passionately asked Okumu to call off the meeting, saying it was illegal.
DP bigwigs who support the meeting filled the courtroom and ululated after the ruling.
Deputy president general Zachary Olum, Bwengye, Sebaggala’s spokesman Mike Mabikke, MPs Rainer Kafiire and Issa Kikungwe, and Robert Kitariko sung DP Egumiire, the party slogan.
Olum said the ruling was a victory over leaders opposed to the rejuvenation of the party.
The losers, led by Ssebaana Kizito, remained glued to their seats, pondering the loss.
Sebaggala yesterday said he would take the day at the meeting because 27 of 36 members in the council supported immediate registration.
He also warned that the meeting would be guarded by his seyas (fans) and that anybody who tried to disrupt the meeting would face it.
Sebaggala said the meeting would set off a revolution in DP, and the conservative leaders would be deposed.
Ends