NRM Members Protest Court Ruling, Vow To Take EALA Matter To Court Of Appeal

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is headed for a lengthy legal battle if a section of the 23 members who went to court challenging the party’s endorsement of the incumbent representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) for re-election go to court of appeal challenging Tuesday’s ruling by the high court dismissing their application.

Gilbert Agaba, one of the applicants speaking to NBS Television said that while they acknowledge Judge Musa Ssekaana’s ruling, they are countering it in the Court of Appeal. “The NRM has no tribunal, where should we go when we are aggrieved?” Agaba questioned before affirming that the Court of Appeal is the next destination.

Another applicant, Ambrose Nampweera noted that while they accept the court ruling, they don’t agree with it. His word mirror those of their lawyer Robert Rutaro who said that they are obliged to respect court decisions.

ALSO READ: You Came To The Wrong Court, At The Wrong Time, Judge Ssekaana Tells NRM EALA Aspirants In Dismissive Judgement

In an interview with Charmar News, Isa Kato, another of the applicants said the cruel ruling identifies with a lot of selfishness; a trait he said is destructive to both NRM and EALA.

“EALA-MPs should not perceive these positions as permanent livelihoods. These EALA positions should be perceived as mere opportunities to serve. As much as possible, young and vigorous youths should be given opportunities to serve at EALA. This is the only way to make our party and EALA strong.

Recently, the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) endorsed the six incumbent representatives to EALA for re-election henceforth locking out over 63 others who had expressed interest in the six available sits allocated to NRM.

ALSO READ: EALA ELECTIONS: 23 Aspirants Sue NRM For Ring Fencing The Party’s Six Available Positions

Not satisfied, 23 of the aggrieved members made an application to the court seeking redress, which, according to today’s ruling by Justice Musa Ssekaana hasn’t been successful. Judge Ssekaana said it was wrong for the party members to go to court before they exhausted the party remedial structures in case of electoral grievances.

Justice Ssekaana also told the applicants that if they are not comfortable in the NRM, they can join other parties. “If the applicants are aggrieved by the decision of CEC and they feel that they cannot politically ‘breathe’, then they are at liberty to leave the party to breathe freely.” Justice Ssekaana advised.