Re: Irene Sarah Kirabo-Bukirwa (An Infant) (Adoption Cause 16 of 1993) [1994] UGHC 9 (07 January 1994);
Adoption, HR
THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA
ADOPTION CAUSE NO. 16 OF 1993
IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION OF CHILDREN ACT (CAP 217)
IN THE MATTER OF IRENE SARAH KIRABO-BUKIRWA(AN INFANT)
BEFORE:. The Honourab1e. Ag. Justice M. Kireju.
RULING
Before going into the merits of the case I perused the petition to Find out whether it was filed in conformity with the Adoption of Children’ s Act Cap 216 and the rules made there under. The petition was signed or filed by m/S Mulira & Company Advocates counsel for the petitioner. I did not find any good reason why the petitioner did not sign her petition. although rule 3 allows an advocate to present the petition in court I do not think that he/she should sign the petition on behalf of the petitioner although this may not be fatal to the application if other rules are complied with.
Rule 7 is as follows
“The statement contained in the petition shall be verified by affidavit .there shall be exhibited to the affidavit all certificates and other documents proper for proving the allegation in the petition.”
I now turn to the petitioner dated 20/5/1993.this affidavit although it refers to some of the matters mentioned in the petition it really is not an affidavit verifying the statements in the petition. As I have stated above the relevant certificates and documents were not exhibited as required under rule 7 cited above. The deponent Joyce Mukasa swore as follows in paragraph 7 of the affidavit;
That this affidavit is made to clarify my disability to travel to Uganda in support of my application to dispense with my physical appearance at the hearing of the petition.”
It therefore follows that the affidavits was not intended to verify the statements in the petition but to justify the petitioner’s non appearance at the hearing.
I have therefore found this petition to be incompetent and bad in law as it does not comply with the rules. it is accordingly struck out. I did not find it necessary to go into the merits of the application. The petitioner is free to bring a proper which complies with the law.
Costs to be borne by the petitioner.
M. Kireju
JUDGE
7/1/1994