{UAH} NRM rebel MPs want Shs2.5b over expulsion

NRM rebel MPs want Shs2.5b over expulsion

SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTRATING

L-R: Rebel MPs Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga) , Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Mohammed Nsereko (Kampala Central) and Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East). File photo 

By ANTHONY WESAKA 

Posted  Monday, May 23   2016 at  01:00

IN SUMMARY

Paying costs. The rebel MPs want the money to pay for costs that were incurred during the court process.

Kampala. Four legislators known as the NRM rebels MPs have slapped government with a Shs2.5 billion bill of costs after they won a case in which they challenged their party (NRM) against expelling them from the 9th Parliament over alleged indiscipline. 
A bill of costs is submitted to court by the winning party in a case against the loser to meet related costs incurred during the case.

The MPs: Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), Mohammed Nsereko (Kampala Central) and Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga), were expelled by the NRM party. 
The party also argued that they should be expelled from the 9th Parliament having lost the support of their sponsor (NRM) on whose mandate they had been elected. 
In February 21, 2014, the Constitutional Court ordered the MPS out of Parliament declaring their seats vacant.
However, they appealed the decision in the Supreme Court, which in October ruled that an MP could not lose his or her seat if he or she has been expelled from the party.

The submissions 
In their submission to Supreme Court, the MPs claimed they had hired senior lawyers, who successfully handled their case, thus justifying the Shs2.5b Bill of Costs. 
The bill of costs, the submission said in part, that the case was "an immensely involving matter of great public importance with jurisprudential and novel constitutional and governance matters", especially in relation to the growth of Uganda's democracy in a multiparty dispensation.

The highly publicised case set aside a precedent, arguing that an MP, who is involuntarily forced out of his party, cannot be expelled from Parliament.
The Supreme Court last week said it will on June 1 at 10am hear the Bill of Costs and will decide on whether to grant the figure as requested or adjust as need may arise.
"…If no appearance is made on your behalf by counsel/pleader or someone authorised by law to act for you, taxation hearing will proceed in your absence.." a May 18 taxation notice reads in part.

___________________________________

Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com