Kihika UBC sacking verdict for February next year

By Andante Okanya

The court verdict to determine whether sacked acting managing director of state broadcaster Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Paul Kihika, can return to office, is scheduled for February 16 next year.

The date was set when the parties to the case appeared in court presided over by Justice Elizabeth Musoke.

The parties were ordered to file written submissions from which the judge will derive her verdict. Kihika was ordered to file submissions by November 21, while the board is to do so by November 28.

The session was meant for ‘scheduling conference’, a term referring to the highlight of the agreeable and disagreeable facts for determination by the court.

Peter Kauma was present as lawyer for UBC, while Kihika had no lawyer. He explained that he had contracted the services of city lawyer Tendo Kabenge.

Kihika said he had withdrawn instructions from Mwesigye Mwene-Kahima, and requested for an adjournment to enable his new lawyer acquaint himself with details of the case.

Kihika said he had asked Mwene- Kahima to forward his copy of the case file to Kabenge.

But Kauma dismissed Kihika’s statement as idle talk, saying there is “no proof of notice of change of advocate” to back the claims.

The case arose this year on August 4, when Kihika filed an application for judicial review, challenging his sacking.

The application, against all members of the board, lists them as Nathan Igeme Nabeta (chairman), and other members Eng. Ian Kyeyune, Simon Kaheru, Mariam Menhya, Richard Barungi, Muhammad Kabba Gulam, and Silvia Birahwa.
Kihika, Barungi, and Kaheru, were present in court.

The board relieved Kihika of his duties in a letter dated July 31, 2014. He took over office on May 20, 2012.

Kihika laments that his contract can only expire after a substantive person has been identified to fill the post.

He wants court to quash the appointment of Eng. Angelo Nkezza, who was appointed by the board in acting capacity. Kihika is demanding damages, and costs of the suit. However, he does not state the monetary worth, and has left the decision to the court.

But the board has dismissed Kihika’s bid as ill-fated, and bent on derailing efforts to streamline operations at the state broadcaster.