The church is not above reproach. And it must be dragged by the dog collar before the modern Pontius Pilate if there were legal issues involved.
At least that is how one Alan Sadrudin has decided it should be like. The proprietor of Kachra Investments Limited has dragged the Registered Trustees of the Church of Uganda, Mbale Diocese, to court, seeking to recover $1 million (about Sh3.6 billion) in damages.
The High Court in the eastern district of Mbale has given Church of Uganda 15 days to file a defence or Sadrudin would proceed with the law suit and judgment given without them.
Represented by Deogracius Obedo, Isaac Nabende and Isaac Ssemakadde-Kimaze, Kachra Investments Ltd contends that Church of Uganda caused it loss of revenue and profit during the three years it illegally occupied the investor’s property.
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This followed a High Court judgment in Mbale in which the Church of Uganda was ordered to immediately vacate and give vacant possession of Plots 25-27 situated along Maluku Road to the legitimate owner, Kachra Investments Ltd.
Mbale resident judge Susan Okalany delivered a judgment overturning a ruling and orders made in 2014 by Grade One Magistrate Hope Namisi granting the property to the church, prompting an appeal by Kachra Investments.
Church of Uganda, through their lawyers Katende Ssempebwa & Co advocates, are yet to file the defence.