A WhatsApp group in Uganda, Buyanja My Roots, has been trending since one of its members Herbert Baitwababo, sued its administrators for kicking him out.
As reported by Daily Monitor, Baitwababo informed the court that the WhatsApp group for their Buyanja sub-county in Rukungiri district, Uganda, was formed to collate funds for charity, condolences, and aids to people in the area. According to him, every member had to pay the sum of Sh.30,000 as a membership fee.
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“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 disasters and arson attacks,” he stated.
He added that he suspected foul play when he asked the admin for an audit report of funds collected since 2017, when the group was created.
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“I questioned the contributions that had been collected since 2017. I demanded accountability and questioned the structure and legality of the organisation,” he said.
However, the administrator removed Baitwababo in May 2023, making him take the issue 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.
After deliberation, the court ruled in his favour on Monday, 19th of June, 2023.
“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 learnt that after Herbert was added to the group again, all group members left and created a new group without him. It is alleged that he has headed back to court for redress.
HEBANNA: This Guy was removed from a WhatsApp group, he went and got a court order to be added back. They added him back and made him administrator then one by one left the group and created a new one. He is now heading back to court to get the members back on his WhatsApp group…
— Mzilikazi wa Afrika (@IamMzilikazi) June 29, 2023
See reactions below:
@vibe80: “They wil remove themselves and leave only you in the group.. Simple.”
@okah.peace: “In as much as, this sounds funny, his reasons are very valid though. Money is involved. So he deserves accountability of funds. That’s a hard worker right there.”
@abike_x: “Because they removed you from “platform” ahh.”
@issa_cakez: “Ssif only I can sue my siblings for removing me from d family groupchats every 3market days.”
@dacious_: “Everybody with Wetin dey do am.”
@808andyblayz: “Jokes asides ! His reason for suing them was spot on! If you read it, you’d know it’s valid ! The moment he questioned the funds etc he got kicked out!”
@tobiloba: “You may find it humorous and unnecessary, but l support his efforts because money is involved; accountability is essential.”
@asakeh: “The part where they all left the space.”
@chinonso: “There’s him, and there’s mne trying to quietly leave every WhatsApp group I’ve ever been added to.”
