Jinja Resident District Commissioner Joseph Erick Sakwa has filed a notice of appeal following a high court ruling directing him to vacate office.
On Tuesday, Justice Jeanne Rwakakooko in an electronic hearing dismissed with costs an earlier application filed by Sakwa seeking judicial review of his interdiction.
Justice Rwakakooko explained that under the Public Service Standing Procedures, an interdiction is based on preliminary investigations and an officer on interdiction remains innocent until proven otherwise.
Sakwa was interdicted on May 4, 2020 following his arrest and subsequent prosecution on charges of manslaughter, malicious damage and theft. He is accused together with Bumali Bazimbyewa alias Chris Umar Dindodi and Muhammad Simba alias Meddie for causing the death of a businessman Charles Isanga and theft of his property.
However, Sakwa opposed his interdiction through his lawyers led by Evans Ochieng, saying he was never given a fair hearing. He secured an interim injunction which allowed him to stay in office pending the hearing of his main application.
On Tuesday, Justice Jeanne Rwakakooko dismissed Sakwa’s application on grounds that interdiction is the first step towards disciplinary proceedings. She explained that under the Public Service Standing Procedures, interdiction is only based on preliminary investigations and an officer on interdiction remains innocent until proven otherwise.
In his notice of Appeal dated 2nd June 2020, filed by his lawyers of Nyote and Company advocates, Sakwa says he is dissatisfied with the whole ruling.
“Take note that Sakwa Eric Joseph is dissatisfied with the ruling of Hon Justice Jeane Rwakakoko delivered electronically on 1st June 2020. In this application he appeals to Court of Appeal against the whole ruling,” Reads the notice.
