Practical Supreme Court Justice, Dr Esther Mayambala Kisakye has written a protest letter to the Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo demanding for her confiscated file.

Sources at the Supreme Court have revealed that last week, the office of the Chief Justice received Dr Kisakye’s letter formally demanding for her file containing three of her dissenting rulings in the controversial Supreme Court’s presidential petition filed by National Unity Platform(NUP)’s former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) against president Yoweri Museveni.

Sources revealed that in her letter, Kisakye told Dollo that all efforts to meet him were frustrated by his personal assistants and his heavy security which forced her to formally write to him demanding for her file which was confiscated on his orders.

Sources added that Dr Kisakye threatened Dollo that if he desists from giving her her file, she will proceed with legal actions including petitioning the Judicial Service Commission.

Last month drama ensued at the Supreme Court when eight justices of the Supreme Court refused to appear with Justice Kisakye as she read her three dissenting rulings on a case filed by Bobi Wine; Including the extension of time to file more evidences, allowing him to amend his petition and the application for recusal against Chief Justice Dollo and put aside proceedings of Bobi Wine’s petition filed by maverick city lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi.

Dr Kisakye alleges that Dollo ordered for the confiscation of her file, and commanded that power and speakers be switched off because she had refused him to vet her rulings. However, the Chief Justice through Salongo Solomon Muyita, the senior Judiciary Communications officer denied the accusations.

By Sengooba Alirabaki

Yesterday, Sheikh Kasule Ndirangwa verbally announced his resignation as the Supreme Mufti of Kibuli-based Muslim faction with immediate effect.

Ndirangwa was appointed Supreme Mufti of the Kibuli-based Muslim faction on December, 16, 2015, replacing Sheikh Zubairi Kayongo who died in April 2014. Mahmoud Kibaate and Sheikh Habib Kabasa have been his deputies.

Our earlier report indicated that Ndirangwa’s abrupt resignation was prompted by endless fights within the Kibuli establishment.

theGrapevine has further established that it was a very well calculated move by the embattled Sheikh to resign from his position as the Supreme Mufti to save his dignity and keep his curriculum vitae clean as a Muslim scholar.

Sheikh Ndirangwa’s resignation news broke at 9:40PM, and his decision was televised live from Masengere building which houses Buganda’s Central Broadcast Service (CBS) radio and Buganda Broadcasting Services (BBS TV).

In his resignation message which was not written, Sheikh Ndirangwa said that it was infighting that forced him to resign.

“I would like to tell you that I am no longer going to serve Islam as leader. I have resigned as the Supreme Mufti of Uganda. I have taken the decision for the good of Islam. I have resigned to keep Islam in peace because I am sure that Islam is bigger than me as an individual,” Ndirangwa said.

In his words, the soft-spoken Muslim scholar from Bukomansimbi district added,” To maintain peace within the religion, I have decided to step down because I won’t keep on fighting with fellow Sheikhs in Islam all the time. I am sure that there are those who can serve better than me. So let me give them the room to serve Islam and perhaps accomplish what I might have not finished during my reign.”

The former Kampala district Khadhi said, “I thank Almighty Allah for giving me a chance to serve the Muslim community and I am glad that I have done my part. I also take this opportunity to thank those who have been working with me, especially the district Khadi’s from different parts of the country.”

Ndirangwa was announced as the Supreme Mufti by late Sheikh Anas Kariisa on behalf of the eminent Sheikhs after the death of Sheikh Zubair Kayongo, the first Supreme Mufti in 2015, deputized by Sheikh Muhamood Kibatte and Sheikh Habib Kabasa as the second deputy Supreme Mufti.

NDIRANGWA HASTILY RESIGNED TO AVOID THE EMBARRASSMENT OF IMPEACHMENT

Multiple credible sources in the office of the Supreme Mufti have revealed that there was a deadly move orchestrated by top prominent Sheikhs and district Khadis to impeach Ndirangwa over incompetence and abuse of office. One of the sources told theGrapevine that when Ndirangwa was was tipped on the deadly move, he consulted a number of his confidants including his family members who advised him to throw in the towel because even prince Dr. Kassim Nakibinge, the titular head of the Islam faith in Uganda was not on his side.

Hajji Ntale hastily mobilized a few journalists and told those who were far to jump on  boda bodas to Masengere where the supreme mufti was going to make a landmark announcement.

“Even his demeanour was telling a lot, he was panicking, he was not reading from anywhere, he wanted to tell the public that he has resigned so as to silence the deadly impeachment plot against him,” the source said.

NDIRANGWA’S TROUBLES STARTED WITH MBABAZI

Sheikh Ndirangwa occupied the office of the Supreme Mufti during the 2016 presidential campaign battle between president Yoweri Museveni of the NRM and John Patrick Amama Mbabazi who stood on the Go Forward ticket.

Both presidential candidates were fighting for Kibuli Muslims’ votes since it was very clear that Old Kampala faction, which is headed by sheikh Ramathan Mubajje was behind Museveni.

Prince Nakibinge invited Mbabazi and Museveni, who was always represented by the government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa and announced publicly that Kibuli would not publicly side with any of them.

Museveni’s team quckly started strategizing on how to defeat Mbabazi from Kibuli.

Credible sources intimated to theGrapevine that after investigating, Ndirangwa, secretly went with controversial Sheikh Kamulegeya to meet Museveni at State House-Entebbe without informing his boss Prince Nakibinge.

Our source further revealed that Prince Nakibinge only learnt about the development in the news when State House leaked photos of Sheikh Ndirangwa and Kamulegeya meeting Museveni.

Another source intimated to theGrapevine that Ndirangwa apologised arguing that his meeting with the president was purely faith based not political.

He maintained that his discussion with the president was solely about how to develop the Muslim community in the country.

Another source however explained that both Ndirangwa and Kamulegeya pocketed fat envelopes which later led to a misunderstanding between the two top Sheikhs.

Eventually Sheikh Kamulegeya left Kibuli and even stopped pledging allegiance to Prince Nakibinge. theGrapevine has learnt that Prince Nakibinge was very bitter with the two because he felt betrayed, but the matter was temporarily settled when two top Sheikhs together with the late Kariisa, late Musa Katongole and the late Muzaata Batte intervened.

M7’S MULTI BILLION DEAL THAT BROUGHT NDIRANGWA TROUBLE

Towards the 2016 general elections, Museveni awarded Sheikh Ndirangwa’s Saudi Arabia-bound pilgrimage company a multi-billion deal.

Safa and Marwa Company was given billions of shillings to facilitate a trip of over 1000 pilgrims which also created a sharp division amongst Ndirangwa and other top Sheikhs, they felt it was unfair that such a big deal was only given to Ndirangwa and other travel companies were sidelined.

BOBI WINE SPOILS THE BROTH

During his political consultations, National Unity Platform (NUP) principal and former presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine publicly met Kibuli leadership led by prince Nakibinge to mobilise for support.

He even started attending several Kibuli functions something that sent Museveni camp in panic.

Sources revealed to theGrapevine that Museveni was then prompted to secretly meet Ndirangwa again without the knowledge of Prince Nakibinge and other officials in the supreme Mufti’s office.

According to a source privy to the details of the meeting, Ndirangwa requested for cars to help ease transportation of districts Khadis.

The source said that Museveni directed that Kibuli be given 11 cars, a promise which was implemented before the general campaigns for presidency.

M7’S CARS TROUBLED NDIRANGWA

When the cars touched base at Kibuli, a bitter Prince Nakibinge questioned the intention behind the donation and the beneficiaries.

The source narrated that Prince Nakibinge directed that the said cars be taken to Hotel Africana and be parked there until all his question regarding the cars were answered.

The source added that Prince Nakibinge told Ndirangwa that the donation was going to put the Kibuli Muslim faction in bad light because the public would easily take the donation for a bribe by Museveni to vote against their “own son” Bobi Wine.

Inside sources intimated that since then, cliques were formed among the top leaders between those supporting Ndirangwa (most of who were beneficiaries of the cars) and those supporting Prince Nakibinge.

Ndirangwa was then branded a Museveni mole.

M7 PRESSURISED NDIRANGWA OVER CARS

A source said that Museveni through Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, the senior presidential advisor on security pressurised Sheikh Ndirangwa to reveal when he would deliver the cars to the owners.

theGrapevine has learnt that Museveni clearly wanted the cars to be given to the beneficiaries before the presidential elections which was not done. Under immense pressure, Ndirangwa made an effort to explain that they were waiting for Nakibinge to give them the green light.

A source intimated to theGrapevine that two weeks back, Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso phoned Ndirangwa and asked him why the cars were not given to the rightful owners.

She made it clear to him that the president wanted to calm a storm by donating these cars that is why he  wanted the cars to be given to the owners before the end of March.

Ndirangwa apparently ran into panic mode after Nalweyiso’s phone call to him.

Hastily, without informing his team and Prince Nakibinge, Ndirangwa organised a ceremony and the cars were given to the beneficiaries.

He assured those who missed out that the president was going to give them more cars soon.

Our source revealed that those Sheikhs who missed out started backbiting Ndirangwa, accusing him of “eating their money” which they speculated was given to them by the president, they even reported him to the Prince.

The Prince was very bitter with Ndirangwa and immediately asked Sheikh Muhammad Lunanoba, the head of eminent Sheikhs to take action against Ndirangwa.

Upon realising that things had gone bad Ndirangwa rushed to resign before he could be shown the exit.

WHAT NEXT FOR NDIRANGWA?

When theGrapevine talked to Sheikh Twaha Mubiru, the deputy general secretary of the office of the Supreme Mufti today, he revealed that the council of eminent sheikhs is going to sit and pave a way forward following Ndirangwa’s abrupt resignation.

“The resignation was abrupt and we shall communicate our decision in a few hours,” Mubiru said.

However, other sources revealed that Ndirangwa’s resignation was a result of incompetence, citing that he didn’t follow the rightful procedure, which includes informing the council of eminent Sheikhs.

“He was not appointed by the media, we have not yet received his resignation letter, we don’t know what he wanted to achieve by not following the rightful procedure,” an insider said.

He added that as per now, the office of the Supreme Mufti is being run by Sheikh Muhammod Kibatte the Deputy Supreme Mufti.

NDIRANGWA TIPPED FOR MINISTERIAL JOB

However, a source in Ndirangwa’s camp intimated to theGrapevine that their man is likely to eat big in president Museveni’s next cabinet. The same source revealed that Ndirangwa is tipped to be appointed a Minister, an ambassador or a senior advisor to the president.

If Ndirangwa is appointed minister, he would not be the first religious leader to be a minister, Fr. Simon Lokodo is currently a Minister in Museveni’s government.

By Alirabaki Sengooba

The Drama at the premises of highest court in the country the Supreme Court is not about to end. Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamony Owiny-Dollo and the head of the Judiciary have directed with immediate effect the closure of the Court premises to non staff.

theGrapevine reporter tried to access the Supreme Court at 10:30am today and officers at the gate told him that non staff were not allowed to enter.

He was with other journalists who included; NTV’s Sudhir Byaruhanga, Bukedde radio’s Benon Nsubuga and others who were all refused to enter.

As they were stranded outside the gate, city lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi together with his personal assistant Ivan Lutakome Ssengooba arrived and the security officers from counter terrorism department of the Uganda police commanded by ASSP Nabirye told them that they have instructions from the Chief Justice not to allow non staff inside the court premises.

The nonsense lawyer grilled ASP Nabirye on why she was obeying unlawful orders from Justice Dollo.

“But this is a public place not Justice Dollo’s private home. Where did he get powers to close the Court? He found this Court here and he is going to leave it the way other Chief Justices like Justice Katureebe, Justice Odoki did,” a tough speaking Mabirizi said.

He explained to the officers that he was going to receive a ruling from Justice Esther Kisakye Kitimbo Mayambala on his application asking Justice Dollo to recuse himself from Bobi Wine’s petition.

He also told the guards that he needs some other documents to take to the East African Courts of Justice since they are also housed on the same building.

The soft-spoken ASP Nabirye advised Mabirizi to leave the premises.

Mabirizi bitterly advised ASP Nabirye to stop obeying unlawful orders and threatened to sue her.

As all this drama was going on, Supreme Court Justices, Justice Mike Chibitta, Justice Faith Mwondah and others were allowed to enter.

JUSTICE DOLLO ORDERS SECURITY TO THROW JUSTICE KISAKYE OUT OF COURT PREMISES

Credible sources at the Supreme Court intimated to theGrapevine that during yesterday’s drama, Justice Dollo directed the head of security at the supreme court to throw Justice Kisakye out of tent where she was reading her ruling from. Dollo also instructed security to tell Bobi Wine’s lawyers and journalists to leave.

Sources divulged that when the officer from counter terrorism refused, Justice Dollo phoned the head of court security SSP Nakintu to execute his orders because her junior refused.

Sources disclosed that SSP Nakintu asked Justice Dollo that let her first consult, after consulting her juniors at the supreme Court, she later told Dollo that she cannot throw a Supreme Court judge out of Court when she was reading a ruling.

“She told him that it will exaggerate the situation if officers throw out an old female Justice. She told him that she can even lose her life,” a source quoted SSP Nabirye.

MY FILE WAS CONFISCATED AT GUN POINT

After spending over six hours in her chambers waiting for a communication from her staff that Mabirizi and other people were in the Court room to receive their ruling on Justice Dollo’s refusal to step down from Bobi Wine’s petition, Justice Kisakye moved out of her chambers and asked her staff what was going on.

She was informed that non staff were not allowed in Court premises. The angry Kisakye walked to gate and officers including ASP Nabirye without any resistance and with all respect opened for her.

Accompanied by her bodyguarded, dressed in her black suit, Justice Kisakye told journalists that whatever Justice Dollo is doing is illegal and she will speak out on the genesis of their fight at an appropriate time.

She accused the judiciary senior communications officer Ssalongo Solomon Muyita of maligning her and giving false information to the public about what caused yesterday’s drama.

She explained that today morning at 7am, she moved to the registry where files are kept and looked for her confiscated file but she was told that they didn’t have the said file. She narrated that she then moved to the office of Harriet Nalukwago Ssali, the registrar of the Supreme Court and she told her that she didn’t know the whereabouts of her file.

She added that she proceeded to the office of the personal assistant to Justice Dollo who was not in her office. She tried to reach Justice Dollo in vain because his office was over guarded by tough looking security personals.

She accused Justice Dollo of confiscating her file at gun point and revealed that guns were coaked by officers on orders of the CJ.

Kisakye assured the public that she is going to give Mabirizi’s ruling next week via mail or she will communicate to him in person.

OTHER 7 SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, STAFF DRAGGED TO JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

On Friday morning, lawyer Mabirizi petitioned justice Benjamin Kabiito’s judicial service commission complaining against seven supreme Court Justices. They include; Justice Stellah Arach Amoko, Justice Opio Aweri, Justice Faith Mwondah, Justice Percy Night Tuhaise, Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi, Justice Mike Chibitta and Justice Paul Mugamba over Judicial misconduct.

In his letters, Mabirizi said that Supreme Court Justice connived with the already under probe Justice Dollo to break their oath of not being influenced by anybody, being independent and impartial when giving justice and abandoned their fellow justice when she was reading her dissenting ruling.

He said that the seven justices acted on orders of Justice Dollo who has a personal  misunderstanding with Kisakye.

Mabirizi wants the Judicial service Commission to investigate the said Supreme Court Justices and if found guilty recommend to the appointing authority the president to fire them including their boss Chief Justice Dollo.

Mabirizi also complained about Harriet Nalukwago Ssali, the Registrar of the Supreme Court who he accused of misconduct when she directed supreme Court Clerks not to go back to Court when Justice Kisakye was reading her ruling.

Mabirizi advised the Judicial Service Commission to fire Nalukwago with immediate effect.

JUSTICE KISAKYE’S RULINGS WILL NOT BE PUT ON COURT RECORD

Judiciary senior communications officer Solomon Muyita revealed that all the dissenting rulings made by Justice Kisakye will not be put on the Court record.

He said that during the reading of her ruling, Court staff were not in Court to capture the process so as to be put it on Court record.

He said that what is going to be done, the Chief Justice will choose an appropriate time and summon other Justices who were on the panel to be present when Justice Kisakye will read her ruling.

He said that this is not the first time such a scenario is happening, he cited a situation during the hearing of the Supreme Court Age Limit Appeal where Justice Mwondah wrote a dossier accusing former Chief Justice Bart Magunda Katureebe of being biased.

He said that the matter was humbly settled. He added that Kisakye’s grievances will be handled by the Chief Justice because he is the head of the Judiciary and the Supreme Court in particular.

MAJ GEN LOKECH INTERVINE

When ASP Nabirye stopped Mabirizi from entering Court premises. He sat down on the ground and called the Deputy Inspector of Police Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech to intervene.

During the phone conversation which theGrapevine  exclusively listened to, Mabirizi asked Maj. Gen. Lokech to intervene because his officers were obeying unlawful orders by stopping people from entering a public place. Maj Gen Lokech promised Mabirizi that he was going to intervene and address his complaint.

By Sengooba Alirabaki