Banned reflexologists lament Mallinga demise

Apr 20, 2013

Practitioners of banned reflexology who dragged the then Health minister Dr Stephen Mallinga(now deceased) to court, are lamenting his demise.

By Andante Okanya

Practitioners of banned reflexology who dragged the then Health minister Dr Stephen Mallinga(now deceased)  to court, are lamenting his demise.

Mallinga died last Thursday at his home in Butebo, Pallisa district. He reportedly succumbed to a heart related illness.

The president Uganda Reflexologists Association of Uganda Goodrich Muteguya told New Vision, that the association was saddened by the demise of Mallinga.

Speaking at the Commercial Court in Kampala, Muteguya said it is unfortunate that  Mallinga died when judgment in the case of the reflexologists, is still pending. Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire is yet to give  the much-anticipated ruling on the case.

“It is sad that Hon Mallinga died before the Commercial Court makes a ruling that is likely to set a precedent. We would have liked him to be there so that the feud that resulted in the banning of our activities is put to rest,” Muteguya said.

The case arose on March 24 2011, when the reflexologists filed an application for judicial review at the court in protest at the ban, contending that Government never accorded them a hearing before their activities were outlawed.

The umbrella body Uganda Reflexologists Association of Uganda, together with Alleluia Reflexology Health Solution and Nutrition Centre Limited, filed an application for judicial review  in protest  against  the ban.

Judicial review is conducted by the High Court in relation to proceedings plus decisions taken by subordinate courts and inferior tribunals or bodies. The Commercial Court is a division of the High Court.

The ban was announced by Mallinga in March 2011, at a press conference at the Media Centre in Kampala. It was based on an investigation which indicated that reflexology centres posed a risk to the patients' lives since most of them lack training and did not comply with operational standards.

The report was compiled by the Uganda medical and dental practitioners' council, nurses and midwives council, allied health professionals council and the pharmacy council.
 

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