Court to Rule on Expelled Rotarians' Case July 7

Five members of the Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands have taken their leadership to the High Court, seeking to overturn their suspension and subsequent expulsion from the club. The applicants, Nelson Turyatemba, Ronald Samuel Wanda, Gladys Edwards Namala, John Martin Sekwe, and Byamukama Robert, allege that their rights to a fair hearing were violated by the club’s officials.

In February, the members were suspended from all club activities via a letter from the club’s Disciplinary Committee. They are challenging this decision, which they attribute to ten top club leaders, including President Deborah Itwau Ongwech and Board Chairperson Dr Canon Charles Kahigiriza.

During a court session on Monday, the applicants’ lawyer, Kakuru Tumusiime, argued that the suspensions were unlawful and breached his clients’ constitutional and procedural rights. He is seeking the reinstatement of the expelled members to their full privileges, including participation in meetings and online forums, to help resolve internal disputes.

Tumusiime stated that the club’s leadership disregarded due process by terminating the members without following established procedures. The applicants are also claiming general damages, asserting that the club’s actions constituted violations of their fundamental rights and freedoms, alongside other legal infringements.

The source of the disciplinary action, as per a February 24, 2026, letter, reportedly stems from an incident on November 10, 2025. Allegations include one member using abusive language towards another and performing club duties without authorization. Officials claim these actions were against club by-laws, intended to create malicious propaganda.

Efforts to get a comment from the Rotary leadership following the court session were unsuccessful, as club representatives declined to speak on the matter. Justice Bonny Isaac Teko is scheduled to deliver the ruling on July 7.

Read more on the Daily Monitor.