Former Parliament Budget Boss Found Guilty of Corruption

Interdicted Director Parliamentary Budget Office head, Samuel Wanyaka has been found guilty of embezzling over Shs822 million that was meant to carry out service delivery surveys in the country.

The head of the Anti Corruption Court, Justice Paul Mugamba found Wanyaka guilty of all the three charges of embezzlement, abuse of office and false accounting.

Justice Mugamba's ruling differed from earlier joint advise of two court assessors who had advised him to acquit Wanyaka.

The judge reserved the passing of his sentence to Wednesday next week. Wanyaka's bail automatically collapsed and he was sent to Luzira Prison until Wednesday, when he will be reproduced in court to hear the verdict.

Wanyaka now faces up to 14 years in jail for the charge of embezzlement, up to seven years for abuse of office and up to three years for false accounting.

Mr Thomas Okoth, a prosecutor from the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) asked court to hand Wanyaka maximum sentences in all the three counts as provided for by the law.

He also asked court to order Wanyaka refund all the money (over Shs822 million) that he embezzled plus barring him from working with any government institution for the next ten years.

While convicting Wanyaka of the charge of embezzlement, Justice Mugamba observed that he received the money in question but never put it to its proper use. Read more

Constitutional Amendments Report Tabled in Parliament

The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee yesterday tabled its main report on the proposed constitutional amendments in which they have called for a "comprehensive constitutional amendment process".

They also rejected Opposition calls for "meaningful electoral reforms".

The report signed by 22 MPs was presented by Mr Stephen Tashobya (NRM, Kajara), who informed the House that under Article 72 b (4), the committee rejected the requirement for 1,000 signatures for the nomination of Independents on grounds that it's discriminatory since candidates who are backed by political parties are required to collect only 20 signatures.

The committee also adopted a government proposal to set up a Salaries and Remuneration Board to be responsible for setting the salaries for all civil servants in the country but exempted MPs and Parliamentary Commission staff from its jurisdiction.

However, a minority report by Mr Medard Sseggona (Busiro East), to be presented today, disagreed with the main report and insisted that "it's not sufficient to change the name of the Electoral Commission". Mr Sseggona will demand for transparent appointments of the commissioners to ensure free and fair elections.

Opposition speak out

The Opposition have demanded that the qualification of the commissioners be provided for in the law and their term of office secure to ensure that they work independently. They have also recommended that the proposed nine commissioners be appointed by the Judicial Service Commission. And any removal of a member of the commission shall be referred to a tribunal appointed by JSC. Read more

Israeli Court Supports Deporting Asylum Seekers Back to Rwanda, Uganda

There was not enough evidence that deported asylum seekers from Israel back to Rwanda and Uganda faced violations of their human rights, according to the judge of the district court in the Israeli city of Beersheba.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The district court in the Israeli city of Beersheba rejected a request from human rights groups for an interim order to prevent the deportation of asylum seekers back to Rwanda and Uganda and against indefinite detention of those refusing to leave Israel, local media reported Sunday. Read more

LRA's Ongwen May Be Tried in Gulu - ICC

The trial against former commander of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, Dominic Ongwen could carried out in Gulu, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has said.

Ongwen is facing three counts of crimes against humanity, inhumane acts of inflicting serious bodily injury and suffering and four counts of war crimes carried out in Uganda and the Central Africa Republic (CAR).

Maria Kamara Kabinti, the outreach coordinator of ICC says the proposal and decision was reached at by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and Ongwen's lawyer Krispus Ayena Odongo.

She says both parties agreed on Wednesday, July 15, that the most desirable location for the confirmation of charges should be Gulu because of its proximity to the victims of the Lukodi massacre carried out on May 16, 2004, in which Ongwen is believed to have actively participated. Over sixty people were brutally murdered and several abducted on that day.

Kamara, however, notes that Ongwen's hearing in Uganda is subject to key issues such as security, costs and impact of bringing the court closer to the people.

On June 29, 2015 the trial chamber directed the prosecution and the defense to provide their views on the possibility of holding the confirmation hearing in Uganda by July 13, 2015.

The chamber also ordered the ICC registrar to provide an assessment of the possibility of holding the confirmation hearing in Uganda by July 27, 2015.

"[A hearing in Gulu] will increase the visibility of the court and making the process more accessible to the victims and affected communities that have suffered as a result of the alleged crimes by Dominic Ongwen by which he is at ICC. The defence also emphasised that it will create an opportunity for victims not only in Gulu but in other parts of Uganda particularly in Acholi sub-region to attend this process live and see how justice is being carried out at ICC.", Kamara said.

She says, the registrar who is in charge of administrative and non-judicial functions of the court has up to July 23 to present a full report on the possibility of the court sitting in Uganda.Read more

Judiciary Mourns Fallen Registrar Roy Byaruhanga

H/W Roy Milton Byaruhanga

The Judiciary is mourning the death of one of its long serving registrar Roy Milton Byaruhanga. The deceased succumbed to a stroke on Sunday morning and that this happened while he lay in his bed in Kiwatule, Wakiso District.

H/W Byaruhanga who had been confined to a wheel chair for close to eight years since a bathroom accident. He died at the age of 52.

Registrar Byaruhanga will also be remembered for always leading powerful prayers during Judiciary public functions.

During a memorial service held at St Francis Chapel, Makerere University in Kampala on July 13, the Hon. Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bart Katureebe eulogized the deceased as ‘brave and dedicated' judicial officer.

But the Chief Justice was quick to say that H/W Byaruhanga‘s death has left the Judiciary and the government with a huge debt of ensuring that public facilities can be easily accessed by those who are physically handicapped.

"There is a need to address how easily people with disabilities access facilities.” He added, "no one invites disability. It can happen to anyone.”  Hon. Justice  Katureebe said.

In Uganda, most public facilities including courts do not have provisions for people with disabilities. 

A condolence message by the Chief Registrar H/W Paul Gadenya, that was read out to the mourners by High Court Registrar, H/W Isaac Muwata, described Mr Byaruhanga as a committed officer who never let illness or difficult work stand before him at the table of service.

"Roy always put duty first. He endeavored to work whenever he felt a little relief from the pain that was hurting him so much. In 2006, he diligently served this country when he handled difficult pre-election matters without shying away from duty. He stayed to serve his country assisting the High Court to render justice to his countrymen and women.” H/W Gadenya‘s statement read in part.

Speaking on behalf of the deceased’s family, Dr George Lubanga, a brother to the deceased said the family did not have a clear picture of what he suffered from.

"What I know is that he slipped and fell in a bathroom in 2008 and sustained what seemed like minor injuries….in 2010 there was rapid progression of the illness that developed into full blown paraplegia. This is a condition that causes impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower torso.” Dr Lubanga told mourners.

Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Dr. Yorokamu Bamwine, who was also H/W Byaruhanga first supervisor at Masaka Chief Magistrates Court told mourners of their interactions then.

"My assessment of him was that he was responsible, hardworking and very keen to learn. He was result-oriented even as a fresh Grade One Magistrate, he had a clear understanding of the law," Hon. Justice Dr. Bamwine said.

He added that was gentle in speech but aggressive in executing assignments.

The Chaplain of St Francis Chapel Makerere Amos Turyahabwe, in his sermon urged the mourners not to wait for death to show solidarity. He said we need to remember that our time on earth is short and as such should use our time productively.

The Secretary to the Judiciary, Mrs. Dorcas W. Okalany said that the Judiciary did everything possible to save Mr. Byaruhanga but "it's too bad that he succumbed to the condition.

He will be laid to rest today at his ancestral home in Hoima District.

Who was Roy Milton Byaruhanga?

Born on 08-09-1963 in Hoima District

He attended Nyakasura Secondary School for his O-Level and Kabalega Secondary School for A-Level before joining Makerere University for law degree.

Career.

Appointed magistrate Grade One in 1992 and posted to Masaka.

He was transferred to magistrates court Busia in 1993 and later Soroti Chief Magistrates Court.

In 1999, he was appointed Acting Chief Magistrate and posted to Fort Portal. In 2001, he was confirmed as Chief Magistrate and posted to Jinja Chief Magistrates Court.

He was later transferred to Masindi Chief Magistrates Court. In 2004, he was appointed acting deputy chief registrar and posted to High Court Kampala Criminal Division.

He was confirmed in appointment as deputy registrar in 2007. In 2008, he was transferred to the registry of research and training. A year later, he was appointed as registrar of courts of judicature. In 2013, he was posted to the Supreme Court as registrar, a position he held until a few months ago when he was posted back to high court.

The late Byaruhanga is survived by a widow and five children.

NSSF, Four Other Firms Sued Over Land

Kampala High Court has summoned four companies and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to defend themselves for allegedly acquiring land through fraudulent registration.

The court summoned the Uganda Company Holdings Limited, National Housing and Construction Corporation Limited (NHCC), NSSF, Mitchell Cotts Uganda Limited and Roofings Limited to file their defence within 15 days in connection with acquisition of the 1834.143-acre land in Wakiso District.

"Should you fail to file a defence on or before the date mentioned, the plaintiff may proceed with the suit and judgment may be given in your absence," reads court documents in part.

The administrator of the estate of the late Prince Yusuf Ssuna Kiweewa jointly sued the five companies and the Attorney General, for illegally transferring land and perpetuating fraud by registering it into the names of the five parties.

It is alleged that the Uganda Company Holdings Limited used forged documents to bring itself on the title and issued fraudulent title deeds to members of the public while NHCC allegedly obtained a title on an unsurveyed land and colluded with the registrars to be registered as a proprietor.

Court documents indicate that NSSF purports to have bought 87 acres from NHCC in 2003 but is currently claiming 565 acres at Lubowa Estate.

Through their lawyers of Mulira Advocates and Muwema Advocates, the complainant alleges that Mitchell Cotts Uganda Limited was registered as proprietor without any instrument of transfer from previous owner.

It is alleged that Roofings Limited purported to have purchased land measuring seven acres but ended up claiming large tracts to which it does not have a lawful title. Read more

ADF is Finished - Kayihura

Police chief Kale Kayihura has has described extradited Alliance Democratic Forces (ADF) leader Jamil Mukulu's arrest as a "huge success" to the country's judicial system referring to him as Uganda's "Osama Bin Laden". Bin Laden was the founder of al-Qaeda, the organisation that claimed responsibility for the September 11 attacks on the United States until he was killed by the U.S government.

The police chief also said Mukulu is a suspect in the now rampant killing of Muslim Sheikhs and his arrest is a good lead. He hastened to add: "It is definitely a big blow to the killers of Sheikhs," Kayihura said. "But I am not God to predict that killings will stop."

The IGP said Mukulu is suspected in the killing of the Shiite Muslim leader Dr Abdulkadiri Muwaya, the shooting dead of Buyinja Sub-county chairperson in Namayingo District, Mr David Okware, and the killing of the two police men attached to Bugiri Police Station.

Gen Kayihura said Mukulu and 22 others have already been charged in court, and will be returned for hearing of their cases as soon as court orders.

He asked other collaborators of ADF still at large to voluntarily surrender to government for a possible amnesty instead of waiting to be arrested like their leader.

Explaining the significance of his arrest, Gen Kayihura declared that it is a big blow to the ADF rebel group.

"I want to assure this country that Mukulu's arrest means that the ADF is summarily finished," Gen Kayihura said.

Gen Kayihura promised that Mukulu will get a fair trial.

The Inspector General of Police yesterday paraded Mukulu at Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja, almost two days since he was repatriated from Tanzania. Read more

Gay Ugandans Suing Lively Seek Redactions

Scott Lively's defense against crimes-against-humanity claims will put activists at risk, a group for gay Ugandans told a federal judge.
     Sexual Minorities Uganda set its sights on the former Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate after the Abiding Truth Ministries president held an anti-gay workshop in the East African nation.
     Uganda's high court had just affirmed that lesbians and gays enjoy basic legal protections in 2008, but Sexual Minorities Uganda said Lively's call to arms, likening the "gay movement" to Nazism and the Rwandan genocide, ignited a cultural panic.
     It says Lively's work led one member of the Ugandan Parliament to announce, "We must exterminate homosexuals before they exterminate society."
     Soon thereafter, Ugandan lawmakers passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill to broaden the criminalization of same-sex relations.
     SMUG, short for Sexual Minorities Uganda, claimed that the its advocacy officer was bludgeoned to death in his home four months after a tabloid newspaper outed him in a 2010 article espousing Lively's views.
     After a federal judge advanced the claims against Lively in 2013, SMUG produced 25,000 pages of records in response to the preacher's discovery requests.
     Lively, whose ministry is based in Springfield, Mass., in turn moved for the unredacted version of the records, including the names and addresses of campaign donors and the face and names of activists in Uganda where advocating for gay rights is illegal. Read more

Chief Justice Applauds Plea Bargaining Programme

The cost of handling criminal cases through the Plea Bargaining system is less than the amount spent while deciding matters under the adversarial system.

According to Chief Justice,  Hon. Justice Bart Katureebe, under the pilot programme, more than 1,000 cases were disposed of at a fifth of the cost of completing a single criminal case through the argumentative system.

"The introduction of Plea Bargaining which has improved the penal justice in America, will therefore go a long way in helping the criminal justice system to achieve efficiency by promoting orderly and timely management of trials, facilitating amicable settlements and mitigating case backlog,” the Chief Justice said.

He commended the Plea Bargaining system for reducing workload on prison officials, reducing congestion in prisons and quick relief from the anxiety of criminal prosecution; "as the accused will be encouraged to own up criminal responsibility and also promotes victim participation in the adjudication process.”    

The Chief Justice made the remarks during the National Plea Bargaining Conference in Kampala on 7 July 2015 where he revealed that the justice system is highly stressed due to the high number of prisoners on remand.

Statistics indicate that the number of accused persons on remand outweighs the convicts standing at 55 per cent against the international average of 45 per cent.

Reports indicate that prison congestion stands at 167 per cent with some prisons holding up to 500 per cent of their holding capacity.

The Hon. Principal Judge, Hon. Justice Yorokamu Bamwine, who also chairs the Plea Bargaining Taskforce, explained that the Judiciary resolved to adopt plea bargaining system as an option to manage the soaring case load in excess of 8000 case awaiting trial.

"The same Judges expected to dispose of these cases are the same judges expected to dispose of civil matters now standing at over 20,000 in the High Court alone. For each criminal case listed for full hearing, we need not less than one million shillings,” he added.

It was the consensus of the participants that it is imperative and most appropriate to sensitize the inmates as well as their relatives on the benefits of the Plea Bargaining process.

Hon. Justice Bart Katureebe addressing participants at the plea barging conference at Imperial Royale in Kampala

It is also important to involve the relatives of the victims’ relatives and the general public in an effort to harmonize the relationship among all people.

Most practicing defense suggested that in order to carry out effective Plea Bargain process, the defense counsel should be allowed two weeks to make meaningful consultations before they could participate in the Plea Bargaining process.

What it is Plea Bargaining?

This is one of the innovative justice system initiatives where a prosecutor enters an agreement with an accused person who voluntarily pleads guilty to a criminal charge in return for a more lenient sentence. It is a reconciliatory mechanism which takes into account the participation/interests of the victim(s) before the agreed sentence is confirmed by the trial Judge.

Benefits

·     It is cost-effective – requires less than 30 per cent of the budget used in conventional trial mechanism.

·    Helps to quickly decongest the prisons – suspects do not overstay on remand.

·         Reduces workload in prisons

·         Saves court’s time

·         Promotes reconciliation between aggressors and the victims

Small Claims Courts Recover Shs1bn in 3 Months

Put in place to fast track simple cases in the court system that can be argued out by the litigants themselves, the Small Claims Procedure (SCP) has registered great successes.

It emerged in the second quarter review of SCP in Kampala on June 19 that over Shs1 billion (Shs1,093,627,000) has so far been recovered under the fast track access to justice programme between the months of March and May.

There is a significant improvement in performance in the 11 courts where SCP was piloted, according to H/W Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya, the acting registrar of Judiciary’s Planning and Development Unit. She presented a statistical report showing performance of SCP between February and May this year.

"The number of cases registered for Small Claims Procedure depict a steady growth against the Civil Suits registered in the Normal Court Procedure for the period under review,” she said.

On average, 200 cases are filed under SCP on a monthly basis. In the last quarter, it was observed that litigants with small claims have increasingly been opting out of the mainstream court registry for SCP.

Court of Appeal’s Hon. Justice Geofrey Kiryabwire, the chairperson of SCP programme, urged the judicial officers who have benefitted from SCP trainings to become trainer of trainers so as to achieve effective delivery of services.

He applauded the initiative saying the Shs1b was proof that SCP has opened the door to put money back in the economy. Justice Kiryabwire said, "This is an indication that we are improving access to justice and the way business is conducted.”

SCP money as collateral

Stakeholders at the meeting tasked the Judiciary to use the money recovered under SCP as collateral to get more funding from government to spread out the initiative to other courts.

Majority of the judicial officers involved in the pilot project voiced their dissatisfaction in the inconsistent budget funds for the project.

Although there were various concerns over judicial review of matters arising from SCP, Justice Kiryabwire stated that for this kind of initiative, there are no appeals. 

However, he urged the judicial officers to sensitise litigants and the public at large on the pros and cons of opting for this kind of procedure.

The meeting was attended by magistrates and support staff from the pilot courts, and other technocrats.     

What you need to know

SCP is a civil claim whose subject matter value does not exceed Shs10m. It is usually recommended in matters arising out of the supply of goods, debts and rent.

Jurisdiction of the SCP Court

The small claims procedure claims procedure is applicable to claims not exceeding Shs10m in value.

Every suit shall be instituted in a court in whose jurisdiction the cause of action wholly or in part arises.

In case of a rental dispute or claim, a small claim is instituted in a court in whose jurisdiction the property is situated or where the defendant resides.

Outside its jurisdiction

• The small court however will not handle:
  Family disputes relating to management of estates; 
  Claims against government;
• Suits of defamation;
• Malicious persecution;
• Wrongful imprisonment;
• Wrongful arrest or seduction;
• Petitions for divorce;
• Nullification of marriage or separation of spouse;
• A case involving validity of wills;
• A claim in which specific performance is sought; or
• Contracts of service and contracts for service.

How do you Institute a Claim?

Contact the opposing party (the person against whom you are instituting a claim) with a request to satisfy your claim.  This may be done through a face to face verbal demand or a telephone call.

If the opposing party does not comply with your verbal request, address a written demand to him or her, setting out the particulars of the facts on which your claim is based, and the amount of the in accordance with schedule I of the SCP Rules.

Deliver the demand notice by hand to the opposing party.

If after 14 days the opposing party does not respond to the demand notice, report in person to the clerk of the SCP at your local court, with your proof that the demand notice was delivered to the opposing party.

Take along any contract, document or other proof upon which your claim is based or that has a bearing on your claim.

Take the full name and address (home  and business address if known) and telephone contacts of the opposing party.

Courts using SCP

The 11 original courts handling small claims are Chief Magistrates Courts of Mengo, Masaka, Arua, Lira, Kabale, Jinja, Mbarara, Makindye, Mbale, Nakawa, and Nabweru.

This year, SCP has been extended to 15 more Chief Magistrate’s Courts of Nakasongola, Busia, Luwero, Kasese, Hoima, Bushenyi, Iganga, Mpigi,  Kitgum, Mukono, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Soroti, Masindi and Gulu.

Fugitive rebel chief extradited to Uganda: government

 A Ugandan rebel leader blamed for slaughtering hundreds of civilians has been extradited to face trial in Kampala, a Ugandan government spokesman said Friday.

Tanzania announced in April police had arrested Jamil Mukulu, leader of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), after which Uganda requested he be sent to Kampala for trial.

"Fugitive ADF's Jamil Mukulu's long run with the law comes to an end," Ugandan government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said, confirming he "has been extradited to Uganda."

The ADF is a Ugandan Islamist militia based in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, with alleged links to Al-Qaeda.

The ADF rebels launched an insurgency in Uganda against President Yoweri Museveni in the mid-1990s and later established bases on the Congolese side of the border.

They are accused of looting, the forced enlistment of child soldiers and illegal trade in tropical timber.

Starting the mid-2000s the rebels began striking at the army and civilians, after authorities started to try to run them out of DR Congo.

The rebels are accused of murdering -- primarily with machetes and farming tools -- hundreds of people in a string of massacres.

Mukulu, believed to be 51, is wanted in Uganda for a range of crimes including terrorism and murder. The international police agency Interpol issued a warrant for his arrest at Uganda's request.

"Finally, Jamil Mukulu has been extradited to Uganda, justice will prevail," Ugandan military spokesman Paddy Ankunda added.

Rights groups said they welcomed the coming trial. Read more

Court summons UCC over digital migration

HIGH Court Judge, Justice Yasin Nyanzi has summoned UCC to attend a court hearing on application where a city lawyer, Enoth Mugabi filed against them concerning digital migration.

Justice Nyanzi has set July 13, for the hearing of the application which is seeking an interim order restraining Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) from stopping broadcasters from transmitting analogue TV signals until determination of the main suit.

Mugabi wants court to issue an interim order against broadcasters stopping them from obeying UCCs’ commands to transmit digital Television signals to the public.

He also wants court to issue an order directing broadcasters of analogue TV signals to join the case.

He claims that UCC has no evidence of a treaty and treaty instruments and municipal ratification papers governing the migration.

This application comes two days after Mengo chief Magistrates Court overturned its earlier orders directing UCC to immediately switch back to analogue, because it lacked the jurisdiction to handle the application. Read more

UGANDAN LAW TEAM QUESTIONS FUNCTIONALITY OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

The legal team in the case of Jjuuko Adrian v. Attorney General, asks if the Constitutional Court in Uganda is taking issues of non-discrimination in Uganda seriously?

Seven years after filing a Constitutional Court petition challenging a provision of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act, 2007, the Constitutional Court has once again failed to raise the necessary quorum to hear the case of Jjuuko Adrian v. Attorney General, (Constitutional Petition No. 1 of 2009) that was first filed on 5th January 2009.

The case challenges the constitutionality of Section 15(6)(d) of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act (EOCA) as the Section has the effect of stopping the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) from investigating matters of discrimination against marginalized groups on the basis that their behaviors are immoral or socially unacceptable to the majority of cultural groupings in Uganda.

The case was first heard on 3rd October 2011 after a delay of almost two years, which was caused by the lack of quorum. Since then, the court has proven unable to write a judgment despite reminders from the petitioner, petitioner’s counsel and civil society organizations. Finally, an application for rehearing was filed and the court decided to rehear the petition since some of the judges who heard the initial petition have since retired.

The court first set the rehearing date as 1st June 2015. On that day, the court failed to realize a quorum and the petition was not heard, but instead moved to 8th July 2015. Still, the court could not raise quorum, and indicated that they would instead hear the petition in September, but did not fix a specific date for that hearing. Read more

Getting to Grips With Judicial Misconduct

Not long after his appointment as Chief Justice in March, Bart Katureebe declared war against graft which threatens to reduce proceedings on some of Uganda's court benches to a veritable farce.

Since then, he has received reports from well-meaning learned friends, naming some of the most notorious be-wigged characters. He threatens action soon. Expectedly, there must be trembling under those judicial robes.

The 'Katureebe Intention', if you may, draws to mind former Kenyan Chief Justice Evans Gicheru's Integrity and Anti-Corruption Committee of the Judiciary inquiry into allegations of untold judicial corruption which had beset his country. Things were so bad that in one case, a judge who was hearing a land dispute matter is said to have simply transferred the land title into his names right in the middle of proceedings.

Judge Aaron Ringera led the Kenyan probe and when submitting his report in 2003, confirmed that there "was credible and substantial evidence of corruption, unethical conduct and other forms of misbehaviour against 152 of Kenya's 300 judges and magistrates."

Web sources recount that at least five out of nine Court of Appeal Justices, 18 of 36 High Court Judges and 82 out of 254 magistrates were implicated as corrupt. They were duly given a two-week ultimatum to either resign or be dismissed. Several resigned or 'retired' in public interest.

Latest press reports confirm that no less than three court clerks have, in the last one month, been apprehended by officers from the Inspectorate of Government on suspicion of either involvement in bribe-taking and/or solicitation. Some progress one may conclude, but hardly enough to really come to grips with the greed demons that have possessed some of Uganda's law officers. Read more

Court to Hear Digital Migration Petition Today

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) will today appear in court to defend the digital migration move.

The Mengo Chief Magistrates Court will hear UCC's application after the same court last Friday halted an earlier interim order directing the telecommunications regulatory body to immediately switch back to analogue TV transmission.

Last Thursday, a city lawyer, Mr Enoth Mugabi, sued UCC and secured an injunction against digital migration.

Mr Mugabi said he was he was aggrieved by UCC's move to migrate from the old analogue way of signal transmission to digital and yet he freely enjoyed the old signal transmission unlike digital signal transmission that requires one to pay subscription.

Following Thursday's ruling, a section of TV stations switched back to analogue, running simultaneously with digital transmission.

However, UCC acting director of broadcasting Fred Otunnu yesterday warned broadcasters against the move, saying "they will be sanctioned." Read more

Court Summons Besigye, Lukwago

 Makindye Chief Magistrates Court yesterday issued criminal summons against Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the former FDC leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, together with Dr Besigye's driver Fred Kato for skipping a court hearing without any explanation.

The criminal summons were prompted by State prosecutor Charlotte Kwikiriza after the duo failed to show up in the courtroom and yet none of their lawyers was available to represent them.

The three face charges of disobeying lawful orders issued to them by Kampala South regional police commander Siraje Bakaleke not to hold a meeting at Nsambya Youth Sharing Hall to discuss electoral reforms on May 14.

"A1 (Lukwago), A2 (Dr Besigye) and A3 (Kato) are absent in court and we are praying for criminal summons against them," Ms Kwkiriza asked Grade One Magistrate Marion Okello.

They are expected in court on August 10 at 10am and should they fail to show up, police will be directed to arrest them and arraign them in court. Read more