Lubaga South Division MP Elect Kato Lubwama and his supporters erupted in celebration at the Kampala High Court’s Civil Division this afternoon, after his the court dismissed an application filed seeking an order for Makerere University to prove his academic qualifications.
Last month, a concerned voter of Rubaga South Municipality Habib Buwembo through his lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde had filed the application before Justice Oumo Oguli seeking court to summon the Academic Registrar of the University to be added as a respondent in the matter.
In the main case, the applicant contends that Kato Lubwama was not legally elected since he lacked the required minimum qualifications of a Member of Parliament.
Buwembo adds that he made various attempts to Makerere University asking to be furnished with proof that the MP’s Diploma was from there but with no success. He thus filed the application on grounds that this information was the basis of his main suit.
In her ruling, Justice Omolo emphasized that it was not necessary at this stage to add Makerere University to this application, which actually seeks to file an election petition out of the stipulated time frame.
Justice Oguli instead advised the applicant to wait for the outcome of the first application and then join the University as a respondent in the main petition against Kato Lubwama.
“In my opinion, this matter of proof of the 1st Respondent’s academic qualifications is relevant in the main petition and court does not find necessary in this application for extension of time,” she ruled.
On the question of costs, the judge said these would be decided upon after disposing off the main application which is going to be heard on Monday next week.
Meanwhile before delivering her ruling, the Judge gave credit to Hon Kato Lubwama who managed to govern his supporters in fulfillment of the earlier warning resulting from his supporters who were shouting at court premises.
All roads leading to Tweed Towers were blocked by Police and it was only authorized personnel with proper identification that were allowed to access the court premises.