Court dismisses case regarding Balaalo eviction order.
A case to overturn President Museveni’s executive order ordering the expulsion of cattle keepers, or “Balaalo,” from northern Uganda was dismissed by the Gulu High Court.
Presiding Judge Philip Odoki was prompted to dismiss the case after the petitioner, Mr Leonard Otee, did not follow up on the matter and have it prosecuted against the Attorney General.
“The applicant (Mr Otee) brought this application by notice of motion seeking several declaration and orders. On February 19, 2024, when this matter came up for hearing, the court directed that the applicant, who is an advocated and self represented, should file and serve the respondent with written submissions by March 11 to enable the respondent to file their written submissions in reply by March 20,” held Justice Odoki on March 21
He added; “The applicant(Mr Otee) has since failed to file any written submissions as directed by the court and no explanation was offered for the non compliance with the court directive. This appplication is accordingly dismissed under Order 17 rule 4 of the Civil Procedure Rules with costs to the respondent.
In his November 29th, 2018, lawsuit, Mr. Otee requested declaration orders stating that the Balaalo people who do not own fenced farms in northern Uganda should not be forced to leave the country because they have the same freedom to live anywhere in the nation as any other Ugandan.
A proclamation that the executive order no. 3 of 2023 violates and/or threatens to violate article 29 (2) an of the Ugandan constitution, which protects each and every Ugandan’s freedom to travel, live, and settle anywhere in Uganda,” the petition stated, in part.
In his lawsuit, Mr. Otee also claimed that the Balaalo, being citizens of Uganda, had the freedom to travel freely across the country and to live and settle anywhere in Uganda.
