Judge Musa Sekaana of High Court has dismissed the case against the new leadership of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party.
The case was filed in August after Difasi Basile and Hassan Twala petitioned court, contending that the change of name from National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP) to NUP was illegal.
The petitioners, therefore, wanted Electoral Commission (EC) to stop recognising NUP and to degazette it.
They also claimed that NUP changed name from NURP which was illegal.
The complainants, who claim to be the founder members of NURP, filed the suit at the Civil Division of the High Court, against Kyagulanyi, NUP, Moses Nkonge Kibalama, David Lewis Rubongoya, Aisha Kabanda, Joel Ssenyonyi, Flavia Kalule Nabagabe, Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu and Paul Ssimbwa Kagombe.
NUP party members were sued alongside EC and the Attorney General (AG), who is the principal legal adviser to the government.
The complainants sought a court declaration that the resolution dated May 12, 2017, nominating Kyagulanyi, as NURP Presidential flag bearer in the 2021 general elections is illegal and in contravention of the party constitution.
They wanted EC to de-gazette the change of the party name appearing under general notice number 838 of 2019 to de-register the change of name to NUP and re-instate NURP as the legally recognised party name the gazetted NURP party colours and symbols.
The applicants further wanted a permanent injunction restraining government and EC, their servants or agents from recognising NUP as a registered political party or organization, receiving any returns in the name of and or on behalf of NUP or nominating any candidates for election on the NUP ticket.
Court documents indicate that NURP was gazetted as a political party in Uganda on December 13, 2004, and issued a certificate of registration on December 28, 2004.
The petitioners also claimed that Nkonge Kibalama and EC illegally changed its party name to NUP and on July 14, 2020, illegally handed over its political leadership to Kyagulanyi and Ssimbwa
In his ruling,Judge Musa Sekaana has dismissed the case with costs which was delivered through the email on Wednesday Morning.
