14 NEW VISION, Monday, September 3, 2018 NATIONAL NEWS Ambitious Construction Company is said to have led the renovations Supreme Court orders fresh National Theatre renovation hearing of five-year-old case By Hillary Nsambu of the High Court in 2013, seeking a declaration that it The Supreme Court has was the lawful owner of the leaves arts lovers in doubt faulted the High Court for land, as the lease issued to it is dismissing a land case that for 20 years, commencing from has been in the courts of law August 2006. By John Agaba for years without hearing it on Represented by Dr Joseph its merits. Byamugisha and Brian Osenyu, Joseph Wasswa is an ardent In a judgment delivered Hwan Sung sued as a registered theatre goer. He does not miss recently, the Supreme Court owner who had possession of Tuesday’s dance sessions nor directed the Land Division of the suit-property and that the comedy nights on Thursdays at the High Court to hear the respondent was a continuing the National Theatre, located in case afresh and finally decide trespasser. the heart of Kampala. it on its merits. Upon appeal, the Court So, when he heard that the The Land Division of the of Appeal upheld the High auditorium, first built in 1956, High Court had dismissed the Court’s decision dismissing was under renovation, he was suit with costs before hearing it Hwan Sung’s lawsuit, hence excited. on its merits, on a technicality its appeal to the Supreme It was announced that the that it was time-barred. This Court, that has directed the National Theatre would paint means, according to the High High Court to hear the case its ageing walls and repair the Court, that the case was filed afresh. sound system and flickering in court late. The coram was chaired by lights. The Supreme Court’s Justice Eldad Mwangusya. The But, as Pius Bigirimana, the directive followed an appeal by other members were Justice permanent secretary in the a South Korean multipurpose Faith Mwondha, Richard Ministry of Gender, Labour company, Hwan Sung Limited, Buteera, Augustine Nshimye and Social Development, challenging the dismissal of and Jotham Tumwesigye. inspected the newly renovated its case by the Land Division “If the trial judge had studied premises on Wednesday, before of the High Court without the plaint carefully, he would officially commissioning it, the hearing and deciding on it on have found differently from smile on Wasswa’s face slowly its merits. what he held in his judgment,” faded. This was not the kind of Bigirimana signs an art piece during the commissioning of the renovated National Hwan Sung had sought to Justice Richard Buteera, who renovation he expected to see. Theatre on Wednesday. Photo by Godiver Asege evict a local company — M wrote the main judgment, “You cannot tell the difference and D Timber Merchants and observed. between the before and after,” markings from years ago and they would have loved to see Transporters Limited — from a The Supreme Court also Wasswa said. the walls are still dirty. BETWEEN THE LINES a much more trendy theatre. prime piece of land situated in blamed the Court of Appeal for Wasswa, like several other Bigirimana said they worked Nonetheless, they commended near Kyambogo. ruling that the appellant (Hwan theatregoers, complained on the leaking roof and n The renovations are the Government for its said to have cost sh3.1b. The disputed property that Sung Ltd) had no automatic about the theatre’s new look, renovated office rooms at levels effort. measures approximately right of appeal against the which required sh3.1b. So we one and two of the premises. n Theatre lovers say the Francis Peter Ojede, the National Theatre does not 1.112 hectares, is comprised dismissal of its case without decided to see for ourselves. He said they required sh4b executive director of the Uganda in Leasehold Register Volume first obtaining permission from Work has been done on the to renovate both the inside and look much different after National Cultural Centre, also the renovations. 2517, Folio 25 Plot 30 Mukabya court. reception area: the counter outside of the structure. But known as the National Theatre, Road, Nakawa Industrial Area. “So, this court would, looks decent. But the stage and they only got sh3.1b, which said renovation works started M and D Timber Merchants therefore, have no basis upon main auditorium still look the was given to them by President in August last year. had resisted eviction, arguing which to make findings of fact same. Well, the high curtains Yoweri Museveni in 2017. of first managing director. Ambitious Construction that the lawsuit was barred by and determine the rights and can now be drawn and opened “When we get more money, P’Bitek wanted Uganda’s Company led the renovations. statute. remedies of the parties. I would, on prompt, all lights have we shall make the place even diverse culture showcased. He With construction complete, In a counterclaim, M and D therefore, not grant the prayer been fitted and respond to the better,” he said. rooted for the opening of more Bigirimana said Uganda was Timber Merchants had made of counsel for the appellant to switches. “Some people spread theatres in all parts of Uganda. ready for JamaFest (Jumuiya ya an application in 2015, in go ahead and determine the Also, the sound seems okay, rumours that the theatre was Prominent plays staged Afrika Mashariki Utamaduni which it sought orders striking appeal on its merits,” Justice but that old numbness still for sale. This is to assure you at the theatre include I Will Festival). out Hwan Sung’s appeal. The Buteera said. hangs all over the place, not that the theatre is here to stay,” Marry When I Want by This year’s East Africa arts and company claimed ownership The court unanimously set typical of new things. Bigirimana said. Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, which culture festival will take place at of the property, arguing that it aside the judgment of the Court The bathrooms have been Built in 1956, the theatre was was performed by Makerere Kololo Independence Grounds was in exclusive possession of of Appeal, awarded costs of the fitted with new urinals and initially the preserve of whites University students. Even in Kampala, from Friday to the property. suit in the Supreme Court, the bowls, but the door frames, and Indians. Robert Serumaga’s satire Saturday this week. under the According to the record, Court of Appeal and in the which are still rotten at the The trend changed in 1959 Majangwa was performed in theme: Culture and Creative Hwan Sung Limited filed its High Court to the appellant base, betray the work done. The after poet Okot P’Bitek was the old theatre. Industries: An Engine for Unity case in the Land Division (Hwan Sung Ltd). terrazzo floor still bears urine named the theatre’s equivalent Phillip Matovu, an artiste, said and Employment Creation.

KYEBANDO CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED HR managers faulted on endless meetings Sekati Zone, Gayaza Road P.O. Box 4770, Kampala By Carol Kasujja gossiping, hence not delivering They were urged at work,” he said. Instead of serving the public, While addressing delegates, human resource managers the First Deputy Prime Minster, GENERAL NOTICE spend their time attending to pay retirement Moses Ali, called on human endless meetings, the former resource managers to network BOARD POSITIONS/SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE state minister for public service, packages on and share ideas. (RE-ADVERTISED) Prisca Ssezi Mbaguta, has said. “The objective of this Mbaguta was speaking time always conference is to build Reference is made to the Annual General Meeting held on 31st March during the fifth African understanding of the global 2018, Kyebando Co-operative Society Limited hereby invites qualifi ed public sector human resource development agendas managers’ capacity building run meetings from Monday and, thereby, facilitate the members to fi ll the vacant Board / Supervisory Committee positions. to Friday, which should stop,” attainment of these targets. st st conference held at Kampala The duration for receiving applications is from 1 September to 31 Serena Hotel last week. Mbaguta said. The Africa Human Resource October 2018. No application shall be received after the deadline for “While completely “It is your work as HR to Managers Network was submission. eliminating meetings may be make sure people enjoy their conceived in the spirit that nearly impossible, there are retirement. Pay their retirement networking and sharing of Please hand deliver your application to: ways to reduce the time spent packages on time,” he said. ideas enhances opportunities The General Manager, in them, so you can serve In his speech, Godfrey for building more prosperous Kyebando Co-operative Society Limited, the public. These days, when Bagwa, the head of human societies. P.O. Box 4770 Kampala, Uganda you go to public offices to resource at East African Affairs, “As a solutions-oriented get information or to meet a said workers spend too much network, I would like to urge Please note that only members can apply and those who submitted human resource manager, it is time on social media. you to find ways to bridge gaps their applications before this notice need not to re-apply. hard to access them because “These days, when people in society, especially those they are always in meetings clock in at work, the first thing affecting the competitiveness MANAGEMENT and they do not leave anyone they do is log on to their social and the competence of our behind to help. It seems they media platforms and start labour force,” he said.