The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has set October 19, 2023, as the date to deliver its decision in a case where three individuals are claiming ownership of the 'Omalako Jajja Tova Ku Main' political slogan.
The claimants are social media critic Frank Gashumba, Lwengo district LC V chairperson, and the NRM Youth League vice president, Ibrahim Kitatta along with Hadija Namyalo Uzeiye, head of Office of the NRM chairperson.
URSB set the date during a hearing on Tuesday evening, where the involved parties presented facts of the case before the registrar and agreed on the legal issues requiring determination. The primary issue raised by the parties is the rightful authorship of the slogan and the available remedies for each party. The parties have been directed to submit written arguments, along with timelines, explaining why the court should rule in their favor.
URSB registrar Ronald Lutunde instructed them to await the decision, which will be delivered via their respective email addresses on October 19. Gashumba was represented by his lawyer Blaire Ntambi, while Kitatta was represented by lawyer Doreen Nakyonyi, and Namyalo was represented by Usama Sebuwufu.
The 'Tova Ku Main' slogan gained popularity in late 2022 and is frequently used at NRM functions and events where President Yoweri Museveni has been endorsed for extending his rule beyond 2026. The complete version of the slogan is 'Omalako Jajja Tova Ku main; Tova Ku Ballot' ('You're fit, Grandpa; Don't leave the main track, stay on the ballot'): We command you to stand again in 2026 and Beyond, Bazzukulu ba Museveni.'
However, the slogan has sparked a dispute among NRM supporters and allied parties, with different individuals claiming its originality. The dispute began in May 2023 when Gashumba, a social and political commentator, applied for its registration with the URSB. In his application, Gashumba claimed to have created the slogan on May 16, 2023, at the request of Hadijah Uzeiye Namyalo.
Subsequently, URSB published a notice of registration on May 23, 2023, inviting objections from the public within a 60-day period. Namyalo promptly objected to Gashumba's application, asserting her ownership claim in a letter to the registrar of copyright dated June 5. She claimed to have officially started using the slogan on October 19, 2022, during the launch of a bid urging President Museveni to run for the preside
ncy in 2026.
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