The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Arusha, Tanzania | THE INDEPENDENT | The East African Court of Justice has summoned Kenya’s Attorney General to justify why the just sworn-in President of Kenya William Ruto was blocked from travelling to Uganda in 2021.
Ruto, who was the Vice President of Kenya at the time was blocked from boarding a plane to Uganda at Wilson Airport on the ground that he needed clearance from then President Uhuru Kenyatta. Immigration Officials at Wilson Airport said that neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the High Commission of Kenya in Uganda knew about the visit.
While Ruto’s office insisted that the visit was private, security officials at Wilson said that he was not a private citizen. They insisted that Ruto was supposed to get clearance from the Office of the President before travelling abroad because he needed to have aides and State security wherever he goes for his safety.
But Dr Paul Bamutaze, a Ugandan national and the Chief Executive Officer of the East African Book of Records sued the Kenyan Government seeking, among others, an order to declare that the actions of the Kenyan government were in contravention of the East African Community treaty.
Bamutaze added that the action of the government and the ensuing debate in which Kenyan opposition legislators branded Uganda an undemocratic neighbour contravened principles of democracy, rule of law, accountability, transparency and the maintenance of universally accepted standards of Human Rights, equitable distribution of benefits and cooperation for mutual benefit.
The Attorney General is required to attend court in Arusha Tanzania on September 20, 2022, before a panel of five Justices who have been lined up for the case. They include Principal Judge Yohane Masara, Charles Nyawello, the Deputy Principal Judge, Justice Charles Nyachae, Justice Richard Muhumuza and Justice Richard Wejuli.
Through his lawyers of Nsubuga K.S and Company Advocates, Bamutaze stated that the statements were cast in a bad light against Uganda’s image and the person of the President of the Republic of Uganda General Yoweri Museveni, whose contribution towards the East African Community cannot be underestimated.
“His contribution towards the East African integration and unity are well known and hence uttering such derogatory and demeaning statements only point towards causing ridicule and disunity among member States”, adds Bamutaze.
According to the summons issued by the Deputy Registrar of the East African Court of Justice Christine Mutimura-Wekesa, the Court will proceed to hear the case and make necessary orders, if the Attorney General does not show up.
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