KATA blames court for delay in flood compensation case against Hamis Kiggundu

8 December 2025, 2:47 pm

By Ronald SsemagonjaA compensation case filed by traders under the Kampala Arcaders Traders Association (KATA) has suffered a setback after the High Court failed to schedule a hearing due to the absence of the presiding judge.

The traders, led by their president, Godfrey Katongole, and represented by counsel Joseph Luzige, petitioned the High Court seeking compensation from businessman Hamis Kiggundu. This followed heavy rains in October that caused flooding in several arcades, destroying traders’ merchandise.

The matter was expected to proceed today at Twed Towers. However, the registrar of the High Court, His Worship Simon Kintu, informed the parties that the judge assigned to the case was on leave, making it impossible to fix a date for a hearing or mention.

Counsel Luzige said the traders’ legal team was left helpless by the development.

“We came to court today hoping to hear the application filed by Mr Hamis Kiggundu and Ham Enterprises against our clients, who initially filed the main suit for compensation. The last time we were here, we also filed an injunction to stop activities affecting our clients,” he said. “Today we have been told that the trial judge is on leave, so we cannot get a hearing date. There is nothing we can do as counsel.”

KATA president Godfrey Katongole expressed disappointment, accusing the judiciary of mishandling the case timeline.

“We are not happy with what has transpired. If the judge knew that he would be on leave on 8 December 2025, he should not have adjourned our case to this date,” Katongole said. He warned that the traders would escalate the matter if delays persist.

“If it requires us to petition the Supreme Court of Uganda, we shall do so until our traders are compensated by Hamis Kiggundu. This message goes to Hamis Kiggundu—if you intend to bribe, bribe all the judges, because we shall ensure that justice is served,” he declared.

Regarding reports that the government plans to compensate traders affected by the floods, counsel Luzige said he had no information on the matter, noting that he acts only on instructions from his clients.