A WhatsApp group in Uganda called “Buyanja My Roots” recently made headlines after one of its members, Herbert Baitwababo, sued the administrators for removing him from the group.
According to the Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor, Baitwababo told the court that the WhatsApp group for their Buyanja sub-county in Rukungiri district was formed to contribute to charity works, offer condolences and support to people in the area and that each member was required to pay Sh.30,000 as membership fee.
“The membership fee is Ush30,000 and we contribute when someone loses a loved one, we also run medical camps for those who cannot afford treatment and we also respond to emergency calls such as dis@sters and arson att@cks,” he said.
Mr Baitwababo said in his affidavit that trouble started when he asked the admin about the process that allowed them to manage the group’s affairs as well as an audit report and accountability for funds collected since 2017 when the group was formed.
“I questioned the contributions that had been collected since 2017. I demanded accountability and questioned the structure and legality of the organisation,” he said.
The administrator consequently removed Baitwababo from the WhatsApp group in May 2023, prompting him to rush to court for redress.
“My prayers were just two: that I would be reinstated in the group, which they did, and secondly that the court would grant me a permanent injunction so that I would not be k#cked out again,”Baitwababo said.
The court ruled in his favour on Monday, June 19.
“It is hereby ordered that the applicant be ordered back to the ‘Buyanja My Roots’ WhatsApp group. A permanent injunction is also issued restraining the respondent, his agents or his assignees from further infringing on the applicant’s right of association,” the magistrate directed.
However, it was reported that soon after Herbert was made part of the group again, all members left the space and created a new one without him.
He’s said to have headed back to court for a redress.
