Religious leaders run to court
The High Court in Kampala on Wednesday heard a petition by Religious leaders from various denominations seeking to compel the Government to fully respect and uphold their fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined under the Constitution of Uganda.
Through their Lawyer, Amos Musheija, the religious faithful led by Bishop Wisdom Peter Katumba of Charis Fellowship Ltd and Imaam Bbaale Mohammed of Masjid Taqwa in Kabowa Rubaga Division dragged the government to Court for continuing to restrict worshippers despite the reopening.
President Yoweri Museveni reopened places of worship in September but restricted the number of worshippers to 200 at a time to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Religious leaders run to court
In the petition presented before the Kampala High Court Judge, Phillip Odoki, the religious leaders have asked the government to lift the number of worshippers and allow for everyone to attend prayers, Sunday school among other activities.
However, the Attorney General of Government who was represented by Counsel Moses Mugisha insists that the case is not tangible and should be withdrawn because of the Covid-19 situation in the country.
Moses Mugisha presented a written statement to the same Court sworn by the Director General Health Services Dr. Henry Mwebesa who maintains that Covid-19 measures were put in place to protect human rights which is a constitutional responsibility of the Government of Uganda.
In the statement, Mwebesa says that if the state of affairs resulting from Covid-19 pandemic were left unabated, it could have been a worse disaster to the population than it stands today.
Justice Odoki, the presiding Judge, adjourned Court to March 16, 2022 to allow the legal team of the Religious leaders ample time to figure out whether they still have a valid case before Court.
By Rashidah Nakaayi
