The Kisoro Chief Magistrate Court Presided over by His Worship Komakech Kenneth has rescheduled its ruling in a civil suit between Hon. Kamara John Nizeyimana and Mupaka Town Council over Kamara market disputes until Friday this week.
Hon. Kamara sued Mupaka Town Council last month to seek court’s indulgence in what he terms as unfair treatment by Mupaka Town Council administration and its agencies.
After both parties made their submissions before court last week, the Chief Magistrate fixed today, the 10th of July 2024, to pass the ruling.
However, His Worship Komakech Kenneth said that his judgment is not yet complete, pushing the ruling date to Friday 12th July 2024 at 9am.
Last week, the plaintiff was represented by Ayesiga Rebecca of Beitwenda & Company advocates, while the defendant, Mupaka Town Council, was represented by the Mbarara Solicitor General, Twinomugisha Brian.
In her submissions last week, Ayesiga protested unfair treatment by the Town Council authorities over his private Market, Kamara market, yet he established it through rightful procedures.
She noted that the Town Council has valued the market’s annual operating license at Shs 45 million, which Hon Kamara terms as too exorbitant.
According to Hon Kamara, the Town Council would remit to him an annual Shs 5 million only, and wonders why he is required much more.
Other grounds for the suit as mentioned by the petitioner include, over taxation on market commodities, selective nature of commodity allocation in Kamara market, and the Town Clerk’s involvement in a private market’s affairs.
The law suit indicates that through right procedures, Hon. Kamara established a private market on his 1.8-acre land in Mupaka Town Council, but has faced harassment since deciding to run it himself.
In response, Twinomugisha highlighted Article 189 of the constitution that allows local governments to levy and collect taxes in their areas of jurisdiction.
He asked the Magistrate to dismiss the case without costs because the complainant has no evidence to justify the extent of damages caused on him.
Hon. Kamara is seeking Shillings 500 million in general damages if the suit is successful.
Discussion about this post