The Katonga faction has lost its legal bid to halt the ongoing delegates’ conference organised by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Najja faction, headed by Partick Oboi Amuriat, the party president, and Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the party secretary general.
On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, Wasswa Birigwa, the party chairman, ran to court seeking an injunction to pause the preparations for the delegate’s conference, reasoning that should it happen, some leaders at Katonga would lose their party positions.
However, Justice Ssekaana ruled in favour of the Najjanankumbi faction on Thursday, October 5, 2023, reasoning that the Katonga faction constitutes the least number of the party’s National Executive Committee and that their interests cannot be allowed to overtake those of the majority at Najjanakumbi.
“The applicants had a duty to satisfy the court that, in the special circumstances of the case, they are entitled to the relief of a temporary injunction, which, in my view, they have failed to discharge. This application fails on the preliminary considerations set out herein and also on the grounds adumbrated for the grant of a temporary or momentary injunction. The court would not in any event have granted any orders which would have affected party FDC when it is not a party,” Justice Ssekaana’s ruling read in the party.
In the Thursday ruling, Ssekaana queried why the Katonga faction filed a law bid only a few days before the delegate’s conference, stating that it was brought in a bad spirit.
“The applicants have not explained why they decided to apply for a temporary injunction on October 3, 2023, two days before the function or conference. The applicants were trying to stampede the court with applications for interim within such a short time. A delay in applying is equally strong ground to deny a temporary injunction since it is a discretionary and equitable remedy.”
“The applicants have not explained why they decided to apply for a temporary injunction on October 3, 2023, two days before the function or conference. The applicants were trying to stampede the court with applications for interim within such a short time. A delay in applying is equally strong grounds to deny a temporary injunction since it is a discretionary and equitable remedy. In the result, for the reasons stated herein above, this application has no merit and is hereby dismissed with no order as to costs,” Ssekaana said.
The court ruling has given leeway to the Najjanankumbi faction to continue with the activities of the delegate’s conference, which will usher in new party leaders.
The fate of the legality of the Katonga faction will only be known after today’s delegates’ conference because it’s highly presumed that most leaders from Katonga will lose their positions.
