Linda lost priority to name after reservation lapsed, tribunal rules

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has ruled that the Liberty National Democratic Alliance (LINDA) lost priority to the name after its reservation lapsed by operation of law in November 2024.

The tribunal found that the reservation made on November 15, 2024 was valid for 90 days, but no formal application for provisional registration was made within the period prescribed by the Political Parties Act.

The panel, chaired by Innocent Muganda, said the expiry of the reservation extinguished any priority or enforceable interest that had attached to the name.

“Accordingly, we find that the reservation made on 15 November 2024 lapsed and was extinguished by operation of the statute itself and no action can breathe life into it,” the tribunal ruled.

The tribunal said the effect of the lapse was that the name was no longer reserved for the proposed or registered political party.