Lawyer survives Masaka mob
Nov 21, 2010
CITY lawyer Sam Serwanga recently survived being beaten by an angry mob at the Masaka High Court. The mob accused the lawyer of listing their names among petitioners challenging the election of Kakuuto MP Mathias Kasamba as the NRM flag-bearer.
By Ali Mambule
CITY lawyer Sam Serwanga recently survived being beaten by an angry mob at the Masaka High Court. The mob accused the lawyer of listing their names among petitioners challenging the election of Kakuuto MP Mathias Kasamba as the NRM flag-bearer.
Serwanga was only saved by Kakuuto sub-county chairperson Christopher Kalemba, who whisked him away.
A total of 503 people are said to have filed a case in the High Court, accusing the NRM party leaders in Rakai district of rigging the election in favour of Kasamba.
Kasamba won the election, followed by Daniel Musooka. Serwanga came third with 2,843 votes.
The listed petitioners, reportedly led by Paul Mutaawe and Twaha Seruyima, hired Wycliffe Birungi and Serwanga to represent them in court.
However, court was shocked to learn that Mutaawe and Seruyima, together with 50 others, were challenging the petition, saying they had never instructed any lawyer to file it on their behalf.
“My lord, the main applicants in this suit have denied having instructed any lawyer to file it. I hereby pray that it is dismissed with costs,†Lawrence Tumwebaze, who represented Kasamba, told Justice Mike Chibita.
Chibita asked the criminal investigations department to investigate the matter.
“It seems our people don’t know the meaning and impact of swearing affidavits,†Chibita said, before setting the ruling for today.
Outside court, a group of people attacked Serwanga, accusing him of wasting their time for his selfish interests. They said he could not file a petition since he came third in the election. “You got only four votes in some polling stations and none in others. How did you expect to win?†John Mulumba, a resident, asked.
Mutaawe said he was surprised to learn that his name was among the petitioners.
“Those who listed my name among the petitioners should pay damages for ruining my image. Since I learnt of the allegation, I have been moving around trying to clear my name,†he said.
Seruyange also denied being behind the petition. “I was among the candidates at the lower level in that election. There was no way I could follow another person’s vote,†Seruyange said.
When the residents turned rowdy, Serwanga and Birungi sped off in their car.
Earlier on, Serwanga had told New Vision that although he was one of the contestants for the Kakuuto seat, that did not stop him from representing the petitioners.
“I am not the one who filed the petition as some people think. I am only representing my clients,†he said.
Since two of the main applicants had denied filing the petition, Serwanga said, they would ask court to drop their names and continue with the others.
CITY lawyer Sam Serwanga recently survived being beaten by an angry mob at the Masaka High Court. The mob accused the lawyer of listing their names among petitioners challenging the election of Kakuuto MP Mathias Kasamba as the NRM flag-bearer.
Serwanga was only saved by Kakuuto sub-county chairperson Christopher Kalemba, who whisked him away.
A total of 503 people are said to have filed a case in the High Court, accusing the NRM party leaders in Rakai district of rigging the election in favour of Kasamba.
Kasamba won the election, followed by Daniel Musooka. Serwanga came third with 2,843 votes.
The listed petitioners, reportedly led by Paul Mutaawe and Twaha Seruyima, hired Wycliffe Birungi and Serwanga to represent them in court.
However, court was shocked to learn that Mutaawe and Seruyima, together with 50 others, were challenging the petition, saying they had never instructed any lawyer to file it on their behalf.
“My lord, the main applicants in this suit have denied having instructed any lawyer to file it. I hereby pray that it is dismissed with costs,†Lawrence Tumwebaze, who represented Kasamba, told Justice Mike Chibita.
Chibita asked the criminal investigations department to investigate the matter.
“It seems our people don’t know the meaning and impact of swearing affidavits,†Chibita said, before setting the ruling for today.
Outside court, a group of people attacked Serwanga, accusing him of wasting their time for his selfish interests. They said he could not file a petition since he came third in the election. “You got only four votes in some polling stations and none in others. How did you expect to win?†John Mulumba, a resident, asked.
Mutaawe said he was surprised to learn that his name was among the petitioners.
“Those who listed my name among the petitioners should pay damages for ruining my image. Since I learnt of the allegation, I have been moving around trying to clear my name,†he said.
Seruyange also denied being behind the petition. “I was among the candidates at the lower level in that election. There was no way I could follow another person’s vote,†Seruyange said.
When the residents turned rowdy, Serwanga and Birungi sped off in their car.
Earlier on, Serwanga had told New Vision that although he was one of the contestants for the Kakuuto seat, that did not stop him from representing the petitioners.
“I am not the one who filed the petition as some people think. I am only representing my clients,†he said.
Since two of the main applicants had denied filing the petition, Serwanga said, they would ask court to drop their names and continue with the others.