By Anthony Wesaka & Juliet Kigongo
The petition challenging the tough wedding rules, including presenting current HIV negative test results in order for one to wed from Watoto Church, has been dismissed for lack of merit.
In a unanimous decision of the Constitutional Court delivered yesterday, five justices observed that the petitioner, Mr Michael Aboneka, had the option of wedding from other churches if he did not want to play by their rules.
“Conclusively, the respondent (Watoto Church) as an organisation, has the right to make guidelines that it considers necessary to facilitate its obligation and achieve its objectives. One cannot claim that there was a violation of their rights at one worship centre, especially when there are other available worship institutions to accommodate their individual religious requirements.
“I would prefer to protect the broader objective of an institution of worship more than individual’s freedom to manifest religion,” ruled Justice Christopher Gashirabake, who wrote the lead judgment. Read more
