Mbabazi and Others v. The Attorney General and National Environment Management
Our Children’s Trust has supported youth plaintiffs in Uganda since 2012. Four youth plaintiffs filed the lawsuit against their Attorney General and the National Environment Management Authority in the High Court of Uganda Holden at Kampala. The complaint invokes the government’s public trust duty under Articles 39 and 237 of the Uganda Constitution to protect the country’s atmospheric resources from climate change for the benefit of current and future generations. The lawsuit asks the High Court of Uganda Holden at Kampala to develop a climate change mitigation plan in accordance with the best science, and protect Ugandan children from the adverse impacts of climate change.
The youth plaintiffs together with Greenwatch, a Ugandan environmental NGO, are supported by Our Children’s Trust.
Current Status:
The youth plaintiffs are awaiting a hearing scheduled for June 2023. The attorneys for the plaintiffs will present lay and expert witness evidence demonstrating that the Ugandan government has failed to prepare and implement sufficient climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to protect the youth plaintiffs, young people, and future generations.
TIMELINE:
The following is a timeline of major moments, filings, and rulings in Mbabazi and Others v. The Attorney General and National Environment Management Authority, from 2012 to today:
“September 20, 2012 : Case Filed!
Four Ugandan youth file a lawsuit a against their Attorney General in the High Court of Uganda Holden at Kampala.”
“April 30, 2014: Preliminary Hearing
The High Court of Uganda at Kampala holds a preliminary hearing on the lawsuit. The judge tells the parties to begin a mediation process, which must to be concluded in 90 days. If in mediation no progress was to be made as to the relief sought in the complaint, then a formal judicial process will begin.”
“April 28, 2015: Amended Plaint Filed
Youth plaintiffs file an Amended Plaint adding the National Environment Management Authority as a defendant in the case.”
“April 11, 2019: Hearing Date Scheduled
After an extremely long delay in proceedings, the court sets its first hearing date for May 14, 2019. ”
“May 14, 2019: Hearing Rescheduled
The judge is unavailable to hear the lawsuit and the hearing date is again rescheduled. ”
“TODAY: Awaiting a Hearing
After numerous reschedulings of the hearing, some due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the plaintiffs are now scheduled to have their lawsuit heard in court in June 2021. ”