The High Court has dealt a significant blow to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) by refusing to suspend a decision that declared the expulsion of former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba unprocedural.
In its ruling, the court found that the ruling party failed to prove it would suffer any substantial loss if the decision remained in force. The judge noted that without demonstrating such a loss, there was no justification for granting a stay of execution pending UDA’s intended appeal.
UDA had moved to the High Court seeking to put the tribunal’s findings on hold while they appealed the ruling. By declining this request, the High Court has effectively upheld the PPDT’s order for now.
“The Court reasonably believes that the applicant (UDA) has failed to demonstrate substantial loss should this court fail to grant an order of stay of execution pending appeal,” the judge ruled.
In a direct rejection of the party’s request, the court stated that UDA failed to prove it would suffer “substantial loss” if the suspension was not granted, a legal threshold the judge described as the “cornerstone” of the court’s authority to grant a stay.
Senate Seat Uncertainty Deepens After Court Ruling
The dispute began in May 2025 when UDA expelled Ms. Orwoba, citing her attendance at the homecoming of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as an act of disloyalty. Following her ouster, she was removed from the Senate and replaced by Ms. Consolata Nabwire Wakwabubi, who was sworn in on August 20, 2025.
Ms. Orwoba immediately challenged the expulsion through the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT). In August 2025, the tribunal ruled in her favor, declaring the party’s actions unlawful and politically motivated.
The PPDT quashed the expulsion and issued a restraining order to prevent UDA from removing her name from its official membership register.
UDA’s Electoral Nomination and Dispute Resolution Committee sought to put this tribunal decision on hold. They argued that if Ms. Orwoba were allowed to retain her party membership and Senate privileges during the appeal process, the eventual appeal would be rendered “useless” or academic.
However, the High Court was not persuaded. The judge ruled that the party had provided no evidence of irreparable damage or substantial loss that would occur while the appeal was being heard.
By dismissing the application for lack of merit, the court has cleared the way for the PPDT’s reinstatement order to stand, leaving the current status of the Senate seat and Ms. Wakwabubi’s appointment in a state of legal uncertainty.
