Lawyer Mabiriizi challenges Museveni’s Coronavirus directive

By Rachael Najjuma

20^th March 2020

City Lawyer Male Mabirizi has filed a petition before the Civil Division of High Court challenging the President Museveni directive in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mabirizi argues that the directives are illegal, unreasonable and defeat common sense as they were issued in an improper procedure hence asking court to quash it.

On Wednesday President Museveni ordered for the closure of several institutions like Churches, Bars, factories Schools, banned musical concerts among others for 32 days. These are some of the measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

However Mabirizi explains that the President or Cabinet has no powers to regulate people in the prevention of a contentious and infectious disease through a mere resolution without being backed up by any statutory instrument or order.

Mabirizi states in his affidavit that he only knows that the lawful way the President can make the said directives is through a Statutory Instrument, putting into account public participation and involvement.

He wants the court to issue a permanent injunction restraining the Government and its agents from implementing the directives in question and also to be paid general damages and costs of the suit.

The Attorney General is yet to be summoned to file his defense in regards to this matter before it’s allocated to a Judge who will be fixing it for hearing.