Sejusa loses bid to retire
Gen Sejusa at his home recently. File photo
KAMPALA- The High Court in Kampala has dismissed an application in which former coordinator of intelligence services Gen David Sejusa sought a temporary order stopping the Uganda People’s Defence Forces from redeploying and molesting him as he is no longer a serving army officer.
Deputy registrar Festo Nsenga dismissed the interim application on grounds that the court cannot ascertain what Gen Sejusa’s current status is.
“With respect to both parties I am unable at this stage to state the applicant is still a serving army officer and reserve the issue for the trial judge after hearing evidence from both parties,” he added.
Through his lawyer, Mr Maxim Mutabingwa, the general contended that since April 8, he has been living a civilian life following UPDF’s withdrawal of his army uniforms, housing and transport allowances and blocking of his salary, among other disciplinary measures, a change he said made him a civilian.
Gen Sejusa reasoned that court should allow him maintain the current status quo of being a civilian and that he should not be redeployed or arrested until his main suit, now pending before the same court, is determined early next year.
The general observed that once court declines to issue that order, to end the actions of UPDF, his fundamental human rights will be abused as he risks being arrested. He also claims that his main case now pending before the same court will be overtaken by events.
However, state prosecutor George Kalemera asked court to dismiss Gen Sejusa’s application with costs on grounds that he is speculative.
Mr Kalemera told court that there is no evidence before court to back Gen Sejusa’s claims that the State has intentions to arrest or mistreat him.
He asked court not to issue any interim order that would make Gen Sejusa immune from being arrested by the law enforcement agencies if there is need for his arrest.
Earlier, Gen Sejusa filed a suit against UPDF commissions/promotions board and the Attorney General for alleged refusal to retire him from the UPDF despite his formal request for the same three months ago.
The general, who has served the military for 34 years, wonders why many of his comrades who are of the same age as him, 61 years, have been retired yet he has not benefited from the same.
