South Sudan wedding venue loses appeal to overturn ban

JUBA – The management of BMC Gardens, a popular wedding venue in Juba, has lost its appeal to overturn a ban on hosting night parties and wedding events.

The Juba High Court upheld the original ban issued by a lower court in December 2023.

The initial ban followed a complaint from prominent lawyer Kiir Chol Deng Acuil, who cited noise disturbances for nearby residents in Nyakuron South.

BMC management had appealed the decision in January 2024.

In December 2023, the Juba County Court prohibited wedding ceremonies at BMC Gardens following a case filed in June by residents of Nyakuron South against the venue’s owner, Bol Mawut Deng.

Juba High Court Judge Mangiest Amusa Wajia agreed with the earlier ruling.

“Argument about license of the appellant garden hall is rejected because the attached order from the mayor prohibits running and conducting discos and nightclubs within the town and BMC was among them,” Justice Amusa declared yesterday.

Amusa further declared that the lower court judge did not make any errors in the case between Kiir Chol Deng Acuil and BMC Gardens management.

“This court has found that the trial judge of the second-class magistrate with powers of the first-class judge has not erred in his decision according to the criminal trial process and weighing of the evidence,” the judge said.

“Therefore, this court has confirmed the appeal judgment,” he added.