Judges recalled from vacation to hear Otunnu’s petition

Court yesterday ruled that some Constitutional Court justices be recalled from their vacation to hear a petition filed by the UPC party president challenging the charges of sedition and promotion of sectarianism against him.

Mr Olara Otunnu filed an application at the Constitutional Court seeking an interim order to stay criminal proceedings and execution of warrant of arrest issued against him by Lira Chief Magistrates Court.

Constitutional Court registrar, Asaph Ruhinda Ntenge said; “It’s my finding that the application be heard during the court vacation.” However, Mr Ntenge said the ruling does not bar police from arresting Mr Otunnu.

Mr Ellison Karuhanga, the state attorney who represented the Attorney General in his submissions, argued that Mr Otunnu has no power to cancel or stay a warrant of arrest issued against him by a competent court.

He further argued that there is no urgency requiring court to constitute a quorum during a court vacation as alleged by Mr Otunnu. The arrest warrant was issued against Mr Otunnu by the Lira Magistrate Court on August 3. He was represented by his lawyer, Erias Lukwago, who asked court to refer the case to the Constitutional Court for interpretation.