By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Political activist Habib Buwembo has petitioned the Principal Judge of the High Court of Uganda, demanding the immediate allocation of a judge and hearing date in a civil case he filed against Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.
In a letter dated April 29, 2025, Buwembo expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in hearing the case (Miscellaneous Cause No. 0199 of 2023), which he filed on September 14, 2023.
Buwembo claims that the case, initially registered before Worship Kintu, has not been assigned to a judge or fixed for hearing since its filing.
He blames political interference for the delay and warned that if no action is taken by May 12, he will exercise his constitutional right to peaceful protest.
“The purpose of this letter is to humbly request that the above matter be allocated a judge and a hearing date so as to have my demands for justice met since justice delayed is justice denied,” the letter reads in part.
He cited Article 29 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly and demonstration, saying he will be joined by other aggrieved citizens at the Judiciary headquarters if no progress is made.
Background
On 22nd September, 2023, Buwembo was arrested and charged with the crime of Malicious Information, contrary to the Computer Misuse (Amended) Act, Article 26 (1) and (2), after he called the Speaker Among a “Karamoja Iron Sheets thief”.
However, he was later acquitted of the charges by City Hall Court Judge, Rehma Nasozi, after Speaker Among and her legal representatives failed to appear in court during the hearing of the case.
Buwembo who had been in custody for a total of 157 days filed a case against speaker Among accusing her of damaging his personal image, false improvement among others, and demanded compensation worth UGX 10 billion shillings.
“Iam going to sue fresh charges on Ms. Anita Among for subjecting me to malicious arrest, prosecution, defamation and loss or damages which are amounting to UGX 10 Bn shillings”, Buwembo said in a media interview.
The letter was also copied to the Deputy Registrar, Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala. A court clerk acknowledged receipt of the letter on April 29 at 2:45 pm.
Efforts to get a comment from the Judiciary on the matter were still unsuccessful by press time.
