The constitutianal court has okayed the use of People Power slogans chanted by Kyadondo East Member of parliament Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi
In a 4:1 majority court ruling yesterday, the justices dismissed a petition filed by a concerned lawyer and supporter of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Mr Adens Ntare Rutaro, against the slogans reasoning that the petition was filed at a wrong court.
“The petition ought to be dismissed since this court has no jurisdiction to entertain it. The petitioner may file his petition before the appropriate court, if he so wishes,” Justice Irene Mulyagonja, who wrote the lead judgment, held.
“In conclusion, the petition is dismissed and I make no order as to costs since it appears to have been brought in public interest,” she added.
In his petition, Mr Rutaro had contended that Mr Kyagulanyi and his party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi in establishing an unregistered political orginisation under the name of ‘People Power movement’ and ‘People Power’ and interchangeably, and mobilising political activities and membership with a view of influencing a political agenda, was illegal.
This, he said, is a preserve of registered political parties since we are in a multiparty dispensation and that their actions contravened the Constitution.
Mr Kyagulanyi and Mr Ssenyonyi in there defence submitted that the petition lacked merit and that what they were doing was to come together in an association with other Ugandans while emphasising their power as Ugandans under Article 1 (1).
however justice Madrama reasoned that the slogans can be made by Hon. Kyagulanyi as an individual since he has the freedom of association under the Constitution but sponsoring political agenda and offering platforms for candidates for election as a political organisation would be contrary to Article 72 (2).
