By Jonah Kirabo
Zoe Fellowship through their lawyers Namara Twenda and Company advocates Monday filed a case in the High Court to compel National Council of Sports (NCS) and its regulators to uphold a two year contract between the two entities for the occupancy of the Cricket Oval grounds for weekly Tuesday prayer meetings.
The development came in the wake of a directive from the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to National Council of Sports directing it to terminate the fellowship activities on the grounds with ‘immediate effect’ until investigations are thoroughly conducted over the legalities, procurement process of he contract as well as the detriment and prejudice of the status of the grounds to the Uganda Cricket Association.
Zoe fellowships ministries argues that whatever the purported biases and concern, the IGG could carry out investigations to ascertain the matter without breaching the contract in which the ministries and NCS agreed to at least a month’s notification in case of termination.
“In this case, IGG acted on a complaint allegedly of Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) and decided to suspend Zoe fellowshipers from worshiping through a letter dated 5th June, 2018 without inviting them to any hearing. This therefore amounted to procedural impropriety since there is failure to fairly on her part.” – reasons the Zoe ministries lead counsel, Catherine Namara Matsiko.
Namara further notes that while IGG’s office may have the legal mandate to investigate and prosecute government entities or persons in the execution of duties, this office is also obligated by the law to do so in a manner seen to be fair to all parties affected.
Citing Article 230 (2), counsel opines that the IGG’s investigations into the allegations could be carried out without necessarily first stopping worshipers from congregating into the Cricket Oval urging that since this was the Ministries contract with the NCS, It was the mandate of the National Council to ensure that their prayer meetings continue as per contractual obligations.
The impeding order is however still awaiting a date from the judge before it can be fixed for hearing by the registrar for hearing. The Zoe fellowship noted that they will be fellowshipping from Kyadondo rugby grounds in the mean time.