In an unprecedented way, a city businessman Festo Kasajja has put up a spirited fight against the appointment of Mr.Charles Kasibayo to the bench as High Court Judge.
Kasajja Festo, a city landlord wrote a petition to Justice Benjamin Kabiito who heads the Judicial Service Commission protesting the elevation of Charles Kasibayo, a former Administrator General to a High Court Judge.
Kasajja is accusing Kasibayo of fraud and corruption in a case involving transfer and cancellation of a land title for Plot 556 Block 12 Kibuga – Mengo area formerly owned by late Sendawula Sepuya.
Kasajja’s petition was published in Daily Monitor News paper of Thursday,September 5, 2024 page 11 and copied to Justice Minister Nobert Mao, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Chief Justice Owiny Dollo, Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana and Mr. Flavian Zeija the principle Judge.This is a rare case of citizen vigilance in the vetting of Judicial officers.
Kasibayo is among the candidates shortlisted for position of High Court Judge published on August 22, 2024 but also a subject of investigations in a case at the State House Anti-Corruption unit reference SH-ACU/GEF/184/2022.
Kenya has a popular system of vetting Judicial officers which includes public scrutiny of candidates. There is evidence of serious consideration of citizen concerns in the process. This is not the case for Uganda or if so it is not as pronounced.
Photomontage by Mulengera News
Kasajja is an aggrieved person who alleges he acquired land from the successors of Sendaula Sepuya, secured a land title that was later cancelled fraudently and the interest in the land transferred to a one James Dagirira aided by John Karuhanga as Ag. Commissioner Land Registration and Charles Kasibayo as Administrator General.
The case of Festo Kasajja needs public attention as one unique case of a determined citizen who has chosen to speak out where many have feared. Mr Kasibayo is a suspect since the process of investigation is still ongoing. How much influence does Brig General Henry Isoke’s State House Anti-Corruption Unit have that a case before it can affect Charles Kasibayo’s fortunes to become a Judge. Should JSC listen and act on a matter under investigation or ignore it.
What are the implications in the latter case. How much can citizens do here in the vetting of Judicial Officers.
If Kasibayo’s case is indeed true, then how many more victims have suffered at the Administrator General’s chambers but to similar abuse of office and corruption but can’t speak out? But what went wrong with Festo Kasajja’s Land title?
Full details in our next article and video piece to be published here…
About the Author
Sir Simon Muyanga Lutaaya is a journalist whose career spans over two decades. He is passionate about business, social – economic transformation, and neonatal health. He can be reached on 0703700309 or Email: smlmediac@gmail.com.