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Oketcho & Another v Owor (Constitutional Application 2 of 2011) [2011] UGSC 1 (11 February 2011)
- Citation
- [2011] UGSC 1
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- Supreme Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Constitutional Application / Application for Interim Stay of Execution Pending Substantive Application
- Case number
- Constitutional Application 2 of 2011
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- Supreme Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Constitutional Application / Application for Interim Stay of Execution Pending Substantive Application
- Case number
- Constitutional Application 2 of 2011
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The Supreme Court found that the applicants had demonstrated sufficient grounds for the grant of an interim order staying execution of the Constitutional Court's order nullifying the nomination of Members of Parliament. The court exercised its discretion to preserve the status quo until the substantive application for stay of execution could be heard and determined. The court clarified that the interim stay did not affect the constitutional obligation for Members of Parliament to vacate their seats as required by Article 83, but only stayed the order nullifying their nominations. Costs were ordered to abide the outcome of the appeal.
Court disposition
Interim order of stay of execution granted pending determination of substantive application for stay of execution.
Orders
- Execution of the Constitutional Court order nullifying the nomination of the applicant and other Members of Parliament in similar circumstances is stayed until the substantive application for stay of execution is disposed of.
- Costs in these applications shall abide the outcome of the appeal.
02
Material facts
Parties
Hon. William Oketcho
Applicant Counsel: Peter Kabatsi, Joseph Matsiko, Alfred Okello Oryem, Medard Lubega SsegonaAttorney General
Applicant Counsel: Patricia Muteesi, Richard AdroleGeorge Owor
Respondent Counsel: Dr. James Akampumuza, Muzamiru Kibeedi03
Procedural history
Posture
Constitutional Application / Application for Interim Stay of Execution Pending Substantive Application
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the Supreme Court should grant an interim order staying execution of the Constitutional Court order nullifying the nomination of Members of Parliament pending determination of the substantive application for stay of execution.
- 02
Whether sufficient grounds exist to justify the exercise of the court's discretion to grant the interim stay.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- Applicants argued that the execution of the Constitutional Court's order nullifying the nomination of Members of Parliament would cause irreparable harm and render the substantive application for stay of execution nugatory. They conceded that they were not seeking to stay the constitutional obligation for Members of Parliament to vacate their seats as required by Article 83 of the Constitution, but only the order nullifying their nominations.
- Respondent
- Respondent argued that the Constitutional Court's orders should be executed as they are based on constitutional obligations, and that the applicants had not demonstrated sufficient grounds for the grant of an interim stay. The respondent maintained that the law must take its course and the status quo should not be preserved in the face of a clear constitutional breach.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
General principles of stay of execution; see Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules
The court has discretion to grant an interim stay of execution where sufficient grounds are shown and where refusal would render the substantive application nugatory.
- 02
Article 83 of the Constitution of Uganda
Constitutional obligations, such as those under Article 83 regarding vacation of parliamentary seats, are binding and not subject to stay by court order.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The Supreme Court found that the applicants had demonstrated sufficient grounds for the grant of an interim order staying execution of the Constitutional Court's order nullifying the nomination of Members of Parliament. The court exercised its discretion to preserve the status quo until the substantive application for stay of execution could be heard and determined. The court clarified that the interim stay did not affect the constitutional obligation for Members of Parliament to vacate their seats as required by Article 83, but only stayed the order nullifying their nominations. Costs were ordered to abide the outcome of the appeal.
Obiter and limits
- The court agreed with counsel that constitutional obligations under Article 83 bind Members of Parliament and are not subject to stay.
- Costs in these applications shall abide the outcome of the appeal.
Court disposition
Interim order of stay of execution granted pending determination of substantive application for stay of execution.
- Execution of the Constitutional Court order nullifying the nomination of the applicant and other Members of Parliament in similar circumstances is stayed until the substantive application for stay of execution is disposed of.
- Costs in these applications shall abide the outcome of the appeal.
Source and reliance status
Supreme Court of Uganda
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Supreme Court of Uganda
Judgment
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{\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE SUPREME COURT OF UGANDA \par AT KAMPALA \par }\pard \qc \fi-1440\li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\i\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 }{\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 (CORAM:\tab ODOKI, CJ, TSEKOOKO, KATUREEBE, \tab KITUMBA AND KISAAKYE, JJ. SC.) \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 CONSTITUTIONAL APPLICATION NO. 02 OF 2011 \par (ARISING FROM CONSTITUTIONAL APPLICATION NO. 01 OF 2011) \par (ARISING FROM CONSTITUTIONAL PETITION NO. 38 OF 2010) \par }\pard \qj
\li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 HON. WILLIAM OKETCHO:\tab :::::::::::\tab \tab APPLICANT \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 VERSUS \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sb120\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\tx4755\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 GEORGE OWOR: ::::::::::::::\tab \tab RESPONDENT \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sb120\sa120\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\tx4755\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\i\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 AND \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sb120\sa120\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 CONSTITUTIONAL APPLICATION NO. 04 OF 2011 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 (ARISING FROM CONSTITUTIONAL APPLICATION NO.03 OF 2011) \par (ARISING FROM CONSTITUTIONAL PETITION NO. 38 OF 2010) \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 ATTORNEY GENERAL:\tab \tab :::::::::::::\tab
\tab \tab APPLICANT \par }\pard \ql \fi720\li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 VERSUS \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\tx4755\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 GEORGE OWOR: ::::::::::::::\tab \tab RESPONDENT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 \par }{\b\insrsid9909351\charrsid9909351 \par Constitutional petition \endash application for interim order of stay of execution of constitutional court order nullifying nominations of MPS who were nominated ad independents yet they joined parliament as party flag bearers and vice versa. \par \par These two applications each sought for interim orders of stay of execution of the Constitutional court ruling nullifying the nomination of several members of parliament who had joined parliament as }{\b\insrsid9909351 independents and vic}{ \b\insrsid9909351\charrsid9909351 e versa. The two applications were consolidated and heard together. The applications were granted pending the hearing and determination of a substantive application for stay of execution. \par \par }\pard \qc
\li0\ri0\sa200\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 RULING OF THE COURT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sa200\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 Two Applications for Interim Orders to stay execution of the Decree and Orders in Constitutional Petition No. 38 of 2010 pending the determination of the substanti ve Applications filed by the applicants for stay of execution. The first Application was filed by Hon. William Oketcho against George Owor. The second Application was filed by the Attorney General against George Owor. At the time of hearing the Applicat ion, we decided to consolidate the two Applications since they concerned the same subject matter and sought to stay Orders arising from the same Constitutional Petition. \par Hon. Oketcho was represented by Mr. Peter Kabatsi, Mr. Joseph Matsiko, Mr. Alfred Okello Oryem and Mr. Medar d Lubega Ssegona. The Attorney was represented by Ms. Patricia Muteesi, Principal State Attorney and Mr. Richard Adrole State Attorney. The Respondent George Owor was represented by Dr. James Akampumuza and Mr. Muzamiru Kibeedi. \par During the hearing, counsel for the Applicants conceded that they were not asking for stay of the Order or Declaration that the Members of Parliament
who were nominated as independent candidates when they had been elected to Parliament on party tickets, or thos e who were nominated as party flag bearers when they had been elected as independent to Parliament, vacated Parliament at time of nomination in accordance with Article 83 of the Constitution. We agree with counsel that this was a Constitutional obligation which binds Members of Parliament. \par The only substantive Order which the Applicants sought to stay was the Order nullifying the nomination of the Applicant and other Members of Parliament in similar circumstances. \par Upon considering the submissions made by cou nsel in these Applications we are satisfied that sufficient grounds have been shown upon which this court should exercise its discretion to stay the Order nullifying the nomination of the Applicant and other Members of Parliament in similar circumstances, until the substantive Application for stay of execution is disposed of. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sa120\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 Costs in these Applications shall abide the outcome of the Appeal. \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sa120\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 Dated at Kampala this }{\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351
11}{\b\super\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 th }{ \insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 day of }{\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 February, 2011}{\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 . \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sa200\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 B. ODOKI \par CHIEF JUSTICE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 J. W. N. TSEKOOKO \par JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sa200\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 B. KATUREEBE \par JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par \par \par C. N. B KITUMBA \par JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9909351 {\b\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 E. M. K. KISAAKYE \par JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT}{\insrsid933132\charrsid9909351 \par }}
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