Kampala, Uganda, March 19: The Uganda High Court has cleared Tanzania based pay television Company Azam TV to broadcast Uganda Premiers League matches after throwing out an injunction filed by Uganda Super League (USL).
In his ruling High Court Judge Justice Yasin Nyanzi observed that Uganda Football Federations (Fufa) had already terminated contract it had with USL that mandated Super Sport of South Africa to broadcast the local matches.
The Judge observed that the court would not go ahead to grant the protection order sought by USL because it had failed to produce reasonable grounds for a case warranting the injunction.
“A protection order in this case serves no purpose because the applicant has failed to establish his case in the first and most important test. To issue an interim order there must be a status-quo to protect and there is none,” the Judge explained.
In his ruling High Court Judge Justice Yasin Nyanzi observed that Uganda Football Federations (Fufa) had already terminated contract it had with USL that mandated Super Sport of South Africa to broadcast the local matches.
The Judge observed that the court would not go ahead to grant the protection order sought by USL because it had failed to produce reasonable grounds for a case warranting the injunction.
“A protection order in this case serves no purpose because the applicant has failed to establish his case in the first and most important test. To issue an interim order there must be a status-quo to protect and there is none,” the Judge explained.
The Judge further ordered USL to pay the costs Fufa had incurred in defending the case.
However, he advised USL to alternatively resolve the matter by pursuing arbitration channels.
Fufa Legal Counsel Alex Luganda told Fufa website that following the court decision Azam is now free to beam Uganda Premier League matches.
“Azam can go ahead to televise the Uganda Premier League matches after the interim court injunction [has been] lifted,” said Luganda.
In his reaction to the latest development USL board chairperson, Kavuma Kabenge said USL will now pursue what he called a fully-fledged suit because Fufa failed to take the matter for arbitration.
“As advised by the Judge who –in his wisdom-has ruled that the status quo has since changed, thus dismissing our application seeking protection of our partner (Super Sport ) rights.
“Since the respondent has voluntarily failed to submit to arbitration, we are now filing a suit asking the court to compel them to submit,” Kabenge was quoted by Daily Monitor as saying.
The television rights row between the two sides were ignited by USL decision to sue the country’s soccer governing body after it had terminated contract with Super Sport on the grounds that the media firm had failed to telecast the country’s premier league matches.
However, he advised USL to alternatively resolve the matter by pursuing arbitration channels.
Fufa Legal Counsel Alex Luganda told Fufa website that following the court decision Azam is now free to beam Uganda Premier League matches.
“Azam can go ahead to televise the Uganda Premier League matches after the interim court injunction [has been] lifted,” said Luganda.
In his reaction to the latest development USL board chairperson, Kavuma Kabenge said USL will now pursue what he called a fully-fledged suit because Fufa failed to take the matter for arbitration.
“As advised by the Judge who –in his wisdom-has ruled that the status quo has since changed, thus dismissing our application seeking protection of our partner (Super Sport ) rights.
“Since the respondent has voluntarily failed to submit to arbitration, we are now filing a suit asking the court to compel them to submit,” Kabenge was quoted by Daily Monitor as saying.
The television rights row between the two sides were ignited by USL decision to sue the country’s soccer governing body after it had terminated contract with Super Sport on the grounds that the media firm had failed to telecast the country’s premier league matches.
By: Joel Chirwa
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