The High Court in Kampala has dismissed an application seeking to hold top officials of the Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE) in contempt of court over their alleged violation of a court injunction blocking the swearing-in of the newly elected leadership.
Presiding over the matter, Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that the temporary injunction issued by the court on May 2, 2024, had been overtaken by a consent judgment signed by both parties on July 11, 2024, and sealed by the court on July 22, 2024, thereby nullifying the initial court order.
The application was filed by five engineer Eng. Annet Nsiimire, Eng. Dr. Frank Bunya Ssebowa, Eng. Isaac Balamu, Eng. Darlington Sakwa, and Eng. Jimmy Oola, who alleged that the UIPE leadership, including Eng. Andrew Muhwezi and others, had violated a valid court order by holding a Special General Meeting on August 30, 2024, and an Annual General Meeting the following day, during which new leaders were sworn in.
The applicants had sought court declarations that the respondents UIPE and its leaders including Eng Andrew Muhwezi, Eng Vincent Ochwo, Eng Namugera Ronald, Eng Isaac Serwadda and Eng Lepi Bosco were in contempt, each be fined Shs 100 million, and five of them committed to civil prison for up to 18 months.
They also asked the court to nullify the proceedings of both meetings and reinstate the earlier injunction.
However, the respondents through their lawyers argued that all actions taken after the consent judgment, including holding the disputed meetings, were in line with its provisions.
They also maintained that the temporary injunction had ceased to be valid once the main suit was resolved through the consent agreement.
In his ruling Justice Baguma upheld the respondents’ position, noting that the applicants wrongly based their contempt claims on an expired injunction rather than amending their pleadings to reflect the consent judgment.
Justice Baguma added that there was no lawful order in force at the time of the alleged contempt and therefore, the elements required to prove contempt were not satisfied.
He accordingly dismissed the application and, in a move to encourage reconciliation within the professional body, declined to award costs to either party.
The internal wrangles within UIPE began in March 2024 after contested elections
