Ssenyonyi’s Misunderstanding Of The Legal Principles Shows Glaring Ignorance
On August 12th, 2024, the High Court delivered a landmark ruling that cleared the former Leader of Opposition (LOP) Mathias Mpuuga and three other Parliamentary Commissioners; Esther Afoyocan, Prossy Akampulira, and Solomon Silwany of any involvement in corruption.
This ruling brought closure to the highly dramatized and politicized matter, but many individuals who pushed the corruption agenda have since come out to dispute the court’s decision in their usual dramatic manner.
Instead of facing the egg on their faces, these critics have alleged that the commissioners took themselves to court and that the courts are biased towards the ruling party. However, this criticism ignores the fact that the judgment was made independently by the High Court.
The LOP, Joel Basekezi, has recently returned to Uganda after enjoying time with his spouse in America and Canada. Instead of acknowledging the court’s ruling, he has joined the chorus in attacking it, revealing a lack of understanding of legal principles!
LOP Basekezi has caused embarrassment to the legal fraternity by displaying a lack of understanding of basic legal principles, yet he is a fresh graduate lawyer. During a press conference on Thursday, August 22, 2024, Basekezi complained about not being invited to join a court case, revealing a glaring ignorance of legal procedures.
As an informed and concerned citizen, I feel compelled to set the record straight and educate Basekezi and others on the simple yet crucial concept of joining a court case. Basekezi lamented that the court had not invited him to be a party to a case filed by Bwette Dennis, showing a fundamental misunderstanding of legal processes.
What Basekezi failed to understand is that anyone interested in a case can apply to join it through a process called intervention or joinder. This fundamental principle of law allows parties to participate in a case and have their interests represented.
The age limit case, initially filed by Lawyer Male Mabirizi, is a perfect example of how parties can join a case. Other interested parties applied to join the case, and the court allowed them to participate. This demonstrates that the court is not responsible for inviting parties to join a case; rather, it is up to the interested parties to take the initiative to apply.
Basekezi’s mistake raises concerns about his competence as a lawyer. If he was genuinely interested in participating in the case beyond empty shouting, he should have taken the initiative to apply to join, rather than waiting for an invitation.
This lack of understanding and initiative reflects poorly on the legal fraternity and undermines trust in the legal system. Legal professionals like him need to have a solid grasp of legal procedures and principles.
In conclusion, Basekezi’s press conference has underscored the importance of legal professionals taking the initiative to learn and understand the law. By doing so, they can avoid spreading misinformation and maintain the trust and confidence of the public.