Kenyan rights activist sues Uganda government
By Nangayi Guyson – Kampala – A Kenyan human rights activist who was denied entry into Uganda in April has sued the government before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) over alleged violations of guarantees of free movement and non-discrimination of an East African citizen.
Mr Samuel Mohochi is one of 10 Kenyan rights activists who were reportedly denied entry into Uganda to meet Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki over what they described as illegal continued detention of bomb blast suspect Al-Amin Kimathi.
Mr Kimathi, the executive coordinator of Muslim Human Rights Forum, is one of 17 suspects remanded, pending trial before the High Court in connection with the bomb blast tragedy on July 11 last year.
It is alleged that the Uganda government which is jointly sued with the Secretary General of the East African Community, named Mr Mohochi as a prohibited immigrant without any written or verbal reasons for denial of entry into Uganda.
Complaint
“Applicant (Mohochi) was denied entry into Uganda. He was restrained and detained at the immigration offices at the airport and subsequently deported to Kenya,” reads part of the complaint filed before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) on June 13.
The Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi, yesterday confirmed that government was sued but declined to elaborate. “There is very little I can say about the matter because I have just picked the file from office and I am going to read it. Afterwards I will be able to respond and make comments,” said Mr Nyombi in a telephone interview.
According to the complaint, Mr Mohochi has asked the court to declare that the government’s refusal to grant him, as a as citizen of one of the member states of the East African Community, entry into Uganda, without according him a hearing, illegal and a breach of Uganda’s obligations under the treaty for the establishment of the East African Community and the EAC Common Market.
Credit: Daily Monitor Uganda
