By Bill Dan Borodi
Keith Basemererwa, who had been appointed by the Guild President as Electoral Chairperson but whose appointment the Legal Committee rejected, has filed a petition challenging his removal from the position.
Basemererwa filed the petition against the Attorney General (AG) of the 28th Guild Government. He accuses the Parliamentary Legal Committee, chaired by Speaker Derrick Kakooza, of acting illegally, unfairly, and beyond its mandate.
The Chief Justice (CJ) of the Guild Tribunal, Paul Nelson Bubolo, confirmed that the matter has been scheduled for hearing.
“We have scheduled the application petition hearing on Friday,” Bubolo said. “We expect to hear from the petitioner and the AG, and then proceed with the main suit in the following week.”
According to his affidavit, Basemererwa says he appeared before Parliament for vetting on February 27, 2026, where he says he “articulately answered” all questions. However, he claims he received no official feedback, was not invited for further clarification, and was denied access to parliamentary records (Hansards) despite formal requests.
He further alleges that the Legal Committee wrongfully assumed powers to determine his eligibility.
The dispute stems partly from an internal memo dated February 23, 2026, in which the EC called for the revocation of Basemererwa’s appointment, citing concerns over his handling of its official X account. Questions have emerged regarding the authorship of the memo, as it does not bear a clear signature or identify an individual writing on behalf of the EC.
The memo alleges that Basemererwa retained access to the account after his previous role in the 27th Guild Government as publicity secretary and has continued to use it without authorisation, raising concerns about integrity and accountability.
In a legal opinion issued on March 1, 2026, the Guild Parliament’s Legal Committee concluded that Basemererwa was ineligible and unfit to serve as EC chairperson.
The Committee cited alleged failure to meet the “final year” eligibility requirement under the Guild Constitution, integrity concerns linked to failure to hand over digital assets, and procedural irregularities in the appointment process, including lack of clearance from the Director of Student Affairs.
It recommended that the Guild Executive rescind the appointment.
Basemererwa’s petition challenges the decision, arguing that the Speaker’s dual role as head of Parliament and chair of the Legal Committee raises concerns about bias and conflict of interest. He also states that the actions taken against him have caused personal distress and reputational harm.
In his application, Basemererwa is seeking an interim injunction to halt any further appointments to the position until the case is determined. He also wants the Tribunal to quash the Legal Committee’s decision and compel authorities to allow him to assume office.
