High Court Extends Injunction Against FDC Birigwa’s Extraordinary Delegates Conference

In a recent court ruling on September 18, 2023, the Civil Division of the High Court has extended the injunction against the Extraordinary Delegates Conference organized by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) National Chairman, Wasswa Birigwa. This extension will remain in place pending the hearing of the main suit.

The decision to extend the injunction has sparked reactions from both sides of the FDC party’s internal dispute. Members from Chairman Birigwa’s camp, represented by Erias Lukwago, expressed their frustration with the court’s decision and announced their intention to proceed with the conference as planned.

Today, FDC leaders and members gathered at the Civil Division of the High Court in Twed Towers, Kampala. The case involves three members who sued the party, its secretary-general, and the president in an attempt to halt what they deemed an illegal Extraordinary Delegates Conference.

During the proceedings, Chairman Birigwa was represented by Erias Lukwago, accompanied by Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda. The FDC party was represented by Secretary-General Nathan Nandala Mafaabi, and the party’s lawyer, Julius Galisonga. The applicants, Jamal Wante, Arafat Ntale, and Marlick Ssazi, were represented by Geoffrey Mangeni.

The court’s decision to exclude Lukwago and Ssemujju Nganda from the case, as they were not respondents, drew condemnation. They argued that since the case is against the party, the president, and the secretary-general, they would proceed with the Extraordinary Delegates Conference as originally planned.

FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Semujju Nganda stated that he intends to bring the matter to the principal judge concerning how the case was handled by the judge.

Despite the legal wrangling, supporters of various factions within the FDC gathered at the party headquarters with enthusiasm. The court has set different dates for the applicants and respondents to file relevant documents before the official hearing, which is scheduled to begin next month.