LAWYERS ASK COURT TO DISMISS BUKTAREPA, OIL COMPANIES CASE

By YosamGucwaki

www.mknewslink.com

In Bunyoro

Lawyers defending the three oil companies yesterday asked court to dismiss the case filed by BunyoroKitara Reparations Agency (BUKITAREPA) against the three oil companies operating in Bunyoro sub region.

Yesterday, the case came up for hearing before the Masindi resident Judge Albert RugadyaAtwooki

During the court session , Nicholas Ecimu the lawyer representing China National Offshore Oil Corporation asked court to dismiss the case with costs arguing that BUKITAREPA has failed to show cause of action and failed to provide sufficient evidence towards the matter. Sam Andriole the senior state attorney also concurred with Ecimus request.

However, Alex Adupa the lawyer representing BUKITAREPA said he would not reply to his counterparts request and asked court to adjourn the case since he was not well conversant with it.Adupa told court that AyenaOdongo who is well conversant with the case was unable to attend court because he was attending Hague.

Albert RugadyaAtwooki the Masindi high court resident judge adjourned the matter to 16^th January 2019.

In 2016, BUKITAREP dragged the Attorney General of Uganda, Tullow Oil Uganda Operations Pty Ltd, Total E&P Uganda Limited, and CNOOC Limited to Masindi high court arguing that the process of oil exploration and planned production and development is tainted with illegalities.

Through BunyoroKitara Reparations Agency, (BUKITAREPA), the group wants to be paid for the damages for the loss of land, cancellation of land titles fraudulently acquired by speculators and a declaration from court that they are indigenous people who are entitled to shares of the oil royalties.

Addressing journalists at court premises,Doviko Batwale, the chief coordinator BUKITAREPA said that they are confident with what they are doing saying that they cannot come to court when they have no cause of action.

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