Legislators together with other Ugandans are mourning the loss of Paul Kato Lubwama, a former Member of Parliament for Rubaga South, who passed away on Wednesday morning in Kampala.
Lubwama, known for his successful career as a comedian before venturing into politics, succumbed to complications related to heart ailments.
His political journey, however, was overshadowed by a prolonged legal dispute that persisted for eight years.
Following his victory as an independent candidate in the 2016 parliamentary elections, his eligibility was challenged by concerned voter Habib Buwembo. Buwembo alleged that Lubwama had gained admission to Makerere University under the mature entry scheme through illegitimate means, as he did not meet the required age criteria.
The subsequent legal battle saw Lubwama filing an appeal to the Court of Appeal, which temporarily suspended the proceedings in the High Court.
Despite these efforts, his appeal was dismissed in September 2021 due to his failure to appear in court. Buwembo, persistent in his pursuit, sought Lubwama's removal from office, resulting in ongoing legal complexities.
Unfortunately, Lubwama's passing leaves the legal dispute unresolved. Lawyer Luyimbazi Nalukoola, who represented Lubwama in the case, expressed sadness over the unresolved question regarding the High Court's power to extend the time for contesting a member of Parliament's victory beyond the 30-day limit.
Nalukoola emphasized the importance of timely resolution in election-related disputes to maintain public trust in the judiciary.
Meanwhile, Buwembo, the petitioner, also expressed his sorrow over Lubwama's death and emphasized the need for courts to swiftly resolve disputes.
He stressed the significance of prompt resolution in preventing the rise of vigilantism and upholding public trust in the judicial system.
With Lubwama's passing, the pending cases against him are deemed null and void.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
