KAMPALA – The High Court has ruled that presidential hopeful Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde must respond to summons requiring him to appear before the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department in Kibuli, Kampala.
Justice Musa Ssekaana on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 ruled that Tumukunde did not provide evidence before court, indicating that he was facing arrest had he appeared before the CID headed by Grace Akullo.
The former security minister last month petitioned court challenging the August 17, 2020, summons issued by Ms Akullo. The summons had indicated that Tumukunde was appointed to explain his intentions of meeting war veterans.
However, Tumukunde challenged the summons arguing that the summons in contention tantamount to a violation of his constitutional right to liberty and freedom of expression.
But Justice Musa Ssekaana dismissed the application, saying that the presidential hopeful did not fully explain to court his case and an injunction would affect the operations of CID, which is a public body.
“The courts should be reluctant to restrain the public body like Uganda Police Force from doing what the law allows it to do. In such circumstances, the grant of an injunction may perpetrate breach of law which they are mandated to uphold under the constitution of Uganda”, the Judge added.
The High Court on Friday, September 11, 2020 witnessed drama after lawyers of Gen Henry Tumukunde clashed with Justice Musa Ssekaana over the latter’s refusal to summon CID Director Akullo in the case.
