Struggle for Wapa’s seat
<b>George Masika, 72</b><br><br>is a former Chief Justice of Uganda, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), senior law lecturer and CA delegate for Mbale Municipality.
George Masika, 72
George Masika is a former Chief Justice of Uganda, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), senior law lecturer and CA delegate for Mbale Municipality.
He is a strong supporter of the multiparty system. He wants to make contributions towards constitutional matters arising in Uganda today.
His supporters say foreign affairs Minister, the late James Wapakhabulo had initiated a good debate that tampering with the constitution was dangerous that they feel Masika can best contribute to.
The supporters argue that Masika, having been part of the team that made the 1995 constitution is better placed to defend it.
Masika says, “I think I can make a contribution to this. Constitutional matters are arising in Uganda and they are of my interest. In any case I am the best qualified person.â€
“The reasons for the fixed terms were to stop dictatorship but before it is long, we want to go back to the lines that allow dictatorship. You cannot tamper with the constitution until it is tried and tested.â€
Masika plans to improve on the welfare of the people of Mbale municipality who he says lack the basic necessities of life like proper medication, water and sanitation.
“Mbale Municipality is a town, but a larger portion of it is rural.
The majority of the people are not well off. This is a factor I would like to address,†he explains at his home in Senior Quarters in Mbale town.
Masika possesses a threat to the Movement candidates in Mbale Municipality.
He boasts of large support from the Gisu community the non Gisu
community, the low class inhabitants who are the key voters in the elections and his fellow multiparty supporters in Mbale Municipality.
Masika was born on September 26, 1932 to Jefferson Wafula and Lakeli Nasamba of Butooto village, Buwagogo in Bubulo County, Mbale district.
While a toddler, his parents moved to Kenya in search of greener pastures. As a result, Masika grew up in Kenya and took up his primary and secondary education there.
He went to Kimilili Friends African Mission Primary School and Lugulu Primary School.
He attended Kakamega Government African School and Alliance High School for his secondary education.
In 1954, he enrolled in Makerere University for a Bachelors of Arts degree. Shortly after his graduation in 1958, he attained a scholarship to study law at the University of Southampton University in Britain.
“I did not return after my law degree. I was enrolled to the Society of the Middle Temple (one of the four inns of courts) as a barrister at law,†he says.
In 1962, Masika obtained a Masters in Comparative Law (MCL) from the University of Chicago Law School in the USA.
He returned to Uganda shortly after independence and joined the Ministry of Justice from where he was seconded to the High Court as the deputy registrar in 1963. Masika was appointed deputy DPP and later DPP in 1969.
In 1980, Masika was appointed Chief Justice of Uganda, a post he held until 1985. While in exile in 1973, he was appointed senior lecture in the Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi. He also taught law at Makerere University and he is one of the faculty pioneers.
Currently, Masika is in self-employment in Mbale. He is married to Ruth Christine Mujunga.
Interviewed By Fred Nangoli
George Masika is a former Chief Justice of Uganda, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), senior law lecturer and CA delegate for Mbale Municipality.
He is a strong supporter of the multiparty system. He wants to make contributions towards constitutional matters arising in Uganda today.
His supporters say foreign affairs Minister, the late James Wapakhabulo had initiated a good debate that tampering with the constitution was dangerous that they feel Masika can best contribute to.
The supporters argue that Masika, having been part of the team that made the 1995 constitution is better placed to defend it.
Masika says, “I think I can make a contribution to this. Constitutional matters are arising in Uganda and they are of my interest. In any case I am the best qualified person.â€
“The reasons for the fixed terms were to stop dictatorship but before it is long, we want to go back to the lines that allow dictatorship. You cannot tamper with the constitution until it is tried and tested.â€
Masika plans to improve on the welfare of the people of Mbale municipality who he says lack the basic necessities of life like proper medication, water and sanitation.
“Mbale Municipality is a town, but a larger portion of it is rural.
The majority of the people are not well off. This is a factor I would like to address,†he explains at his home in Senior Quarters in Mbale town.
Masika possesses a threat to the Movement candidates in Mbale Municipality.
He boasts of large support from the Gisu community the non Gisu
community, the low class inhabitants who are the key voters in the elections and his fellow multiparty supporters in Mbale Municipality.
Masika was born on September 26, 1932 to Jefferson Wafula and Lakeli Nasamba of Butooto village, Buwagogo in Bubulo County, Mbale district.
While a toddler, his parents moved to Kenya in search of greener pastures. As a result, Masika grew up in Kenya and took up his primary and secondary education there.
He went to Kimilili Friends African Mission Primary School and Lugulu Primary School.
He attended Kakamega Government African School and Alliance High School for his secondary education.
In 1954, he enrolled in Makerere University for a Bachelors of Arts degree. Shortly after his graduation in 1958, he attained a scholarship to study law at the University of Southampton University in Britain.
“I did not return after my law degree. I was enrolled to the Society of the Middle Temple (one of the four inns of courts) as a barrister at law,†he says.
In 1962, Masika obtained a Masters in Comparative Law (MCL) from the University of Chicago Law School in the USA.
He returned to Uganda shortly after independence and joined the Ministry of Justice from where he was seconded to the High Court as the deputy registrar in 1963. Masika was appointed deputy DPP and later DPP in 1969.
In 1980, Masika was appointed Chief Justice of Uganda, a post he held until 1985. While in exile in 1973, he was appointed senior lecture in the Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi. He also taught law at Makerere University and he is one of the faculty pioneers.
Currently, Masika is in self-employment in Mbale. He is married to Ruth Christine Mujunga.
Interviewed By Fred Nangoli