By Precious Ankunda,
NATIONAL:
Renown city lawyer Male Kiwanuka Mabirizi has ardently rejected a move by the Director of Public Prosecutions to take over a case in which he is suing Rajiv Ruparelia of doing illegal activities on lake victoria
It should be recalled that Mabirizi dragged Rajiv before Entebbe Magistrate court for undertaking activities in the protected zone of Lake Victoria contrary to section 53(6-7) of the NEMA Act, 2019.
The DPP had however applied to court seeking for permission to take over the said case something that the lawyer opposes.
According to a letter dated January 6th, written by the Entebbe Chief Resident Attorney, the DPP Justice Jane Frances Abodo took over the matter and requested Mabirizi to avail her with all his intended evidence to help her in the prosecution of the said case.
During the hearing yesterday (Wednesday January 19, 2022), lawyer Mabirizi asked court to disallow DPP’s takeover of the case noting that she wants to kill his case.
He asserts this is not a normal case, but an environmental case and that protection of the Environment is a constitutional duty of every citizen.
According to the particulars of the offense, Rajiv Ruperelia between 1st November and 21st December 2021, undertook activities in the protected zones along lakeshores by filling stones and rocky soil on Lake Victoria shores adjacent to land described as Busiro block 443 plot 49,50,52, 74,75 and 76 at Kongero, Wakiso District along Entebbe Road at a place commonly known as Kitubilu, Kayabi Town Council, Wakiso District.
Mabirizi asked the magistrate to throw out the said application and leave the case to him under private prosecution.
Meanwhile, neither Rajiv nor his lawyers appeared in court over the matter.
Presiding Magistrate Kawuma Elizabeth has set February 21st, when she will deliver her ruling.
