The High Court in Kampala has issued an arrest warrant for Mukesh Shukla, a prominent businessman in Kampala for refusing to pay over UGX 70 million when he lost a legal battle against his political opponent Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi.
Following his loss in last year’s parliamentary elections, businessman Mukesh lodged a court petition against the incumbent Nakawa West Member of Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi who is also the Spokesperson for opposition political party – National Unity Platform (NUP).
Mukesh’s election petition was however dismissed with costs of Ugx 73 million which he has since failed to pay to his rival.
These series of events compelled the High Court on Wednesday 13th July to issue a legal directive ordering that Mukesh be arrested and prosecuted.
“WHEREAS MUKESHI SHUKLA BABUBHAI was adjudged by the order of this court and ordered by a Decree in Election Petition No. 009 of 2021 & MA 340 & MA 561 OF 2021 to pay the Decree holder costs of the Petition and the applications as sum of UGX 73.050.000 /= being the Costs of the Petition in execution,” reads an excerpt from a court order that was issued by the Registrar of the High Court.
The arrest warrant expressly states that Mr. Mukesh should be immediately arrested unless he pays the required sum of money to his rival.
“This is to direct you to arrest and bring the judgment debtor before this Court with all convenience and speed unless the said sum is paid,” reads the warrant.
Ugandan enterprises urged to explore regional oil and gas opportunities“You are further commanded to return this warrant by 30th August 2022 with an endorsement certifying the day on which and the manner in which it has been executed or the reason why it has not been executed,” says the legal document.
The arrest warrant expressly commands and “directs every officer of the Uganda Police Force to ensure that the arrest is done in a peaceful and lawful manner,” wrote the Deputy Registrar from the Civil Division.
This court order was issued on Wednesday 13th July 2022.
In March 2021, Mukesh petitioned court seeking nullification of Joel Ssenyonyi’s election to the Nakawa West MP seat citing irregularities in the election process.
In March this year, Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on grounds that it was filed out of the stipulated 14 days within which to file election matters.
Mukesh lost the January 14th, 2021 polls to Ssenyonyi who polled 30,847 votes while Mukesh came sixth with 806 votes.
