KAMPALA- Court of Appeal justices led by Geoffrey Kiryabwire will deliver on Notice a ruling in which Democratic Party Member , Benedicto Galiko.
On appearing before court on Tuesday, Galiko informed the panel of justices that, his lawyer was not in normal health and therefore was not present.
“My Lords, my lawyer is sick , I talked to him last night and he told me that he was not in position to attend court.” Reported Galiko
However, Justice Kiryabwire faulted Galiko’s counsel for having not communicated through proper channels and thus contributing to wastage of court’s time.
“We (Court) spent time to serve Counsel through his Chambers but unfortunately he has not sent in anybody to represent him.”
Court and Representatives of Democratic Party agreed to go with the submissions on record, and it’s on that background that the justices agreed to deliver the judgement on notice.
Present in court was Democratic Party lawyer Justine Ssemuyaba and other t Democratic Party officials.
Kayondo Bulasio, a Democratic Party leader from Masajja and one of those who were present at Court , noted that the delays in this case have greatly affected the party to the extent that some have already joined other parties
“Democratic Party is not about individuals but it’s for all of us as members. When Kiwanuka brought this matter in court we were eagerly waiting to see who is right who is wrong. That’s the only thing we want from court.” Remarked Balira Peter Ssalongo , one of the former leaders of DP in Kampala Central.
This appeal results from the 2024, High Court ruling which declared that it was illegal for the current Democratic Party leaders led by Hon Nobert Mao to continue holding internal party elections without following DP’s constitution.
Court also ordered that these had to step aside and an independent committee had to be instituted to manage the party affairs, until the situation normalizes.
A section of Democratic Party leaders who were not satisfied with the above decision, decided to appeal but this was not successful since they failed to fulfill all the legal requirements including serving Mr. Galiko Benedicto , the applicant in matter before the High Court.
These petitioned court of Appeal, seeking for extension of time with in which to file their notice of Appeal. Justice Monica Mugyenyi acting as single justice of appeal, allowed the application and extended the time which the appeal had to be filed which was later challenged by Galiko.
