Aggrey Kibenge, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) has advised perennial litigant Male Mabirizi to seek the help of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi and Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga in the interpretation of Kiganda customs.
Mabirizi sued Pastor Aloysius Bujjingo of House of Prayer Ministries International (HPMI) and Salt TV employee Suzan Makula Nantaba over their December 07 traditional marriage ceremony.
On December 27, the lawyer wrote to PS Kibenge seeking information related to components of customary marriage ceremony of a Muganda woman in Buganda for use as evidence in a case he filed against Bujjingo and Makula in the Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court.
In his letter, Mabirizi also made it clear to Kibenge that he would be required to testify in court.
After two weeks, Kibenge responded to Mabirizi.
In his letter, which he copied to MoGLSD Minister Betty Amongi, Minister of State, Gender and Culture Affairs Peace Mutuuzo, Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, URSB Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho, the trial magistrate, Buganda Prime Minister Mayiga and the lawyers of Bujjingo and Makula, Kibenge said Mabirizi should seek the help of Buganda Kingdom on interpretation of traditional marriage matters.
“The Obwa Kabaka Bwa Buganda, as custodian of Kiganda culture and customs, would probably serve you better in this regard,” he said, insisting he lacked the expertise on Kiganda customs.
He further advised the city lawyer to go to URSB, saying that MoGLSD didn’t have the mandate on marriage issues.
“I presume you are aware that the mandate of the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development is to empower citizens to maximize their individual and collective potential by developing skills, increasing labour productivity, and cultural enrichment to achieve inclusive and gender-sensitive sustainable development. In addition, the Ministry is responsible for mobilizing and empowering communities to harness their potential while, protecting the rights of vulnerable population groups,” the PS wrote. .
“It is my understanding that it is the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) with the mandate to register marriages recognized under laws such as the Marriage Act and the Muhammaden Law – including traditional marriages. URSB is the Government Agency responsible for all marriages in Uganda.”
He also declined to testify against Bujjingo and Makula in court saying he neither had the competence nor evidence required in the case.
Meanwhile, Court has set the Date for Ruling on whether Pastor Bujjingo Should Cough Shs2Billion or be Jailed for Calling Lawyer Mabirizi ‘Pig’. (Read story here).
