By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Leader of Opposition in Uganda’s August House has threatened to take to court Daily Monitor for allegedly publishing false and defamatory statement against his person.
Through Lukwago & Company Advocates, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga in a letter of intention to sue dated 14th February, 2023 says Daily Monitor defamed him in its publication of 14th February, 2023 under the heading ‘How MPs Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana walked to freedom.”
According to Lukwago, the Newspaper on 4th and 5th pages reported that “Our investigations reveal a complex web of secret talks powered by Parliament’s top leadership in which the Leader of Opposition played a key role reportedly outside Bobi Wine’s purview leading to a deal making meeting last month between the accused lawmakers and a senior government executive expected to soon result in the freedom of the National Unity Platform party supporters being tried by the army court.”
Lukwago says, the Hon. Mpuuga denied having met any senior government official to negotiate the release of the two MPs.
“Another source said the Leader of Opposition was in court in person yesterday because he likely had prior information the legislators would be granted bail. Mr. Mpuuga last evening denied any clandestine engagements or bargains,” the letter of intention to sue reads in part.
The Daily Monitor also allegedly wrote, “Mr. Mpuuga who by some accounts has been deeply involved in the secret talks but reportedly without the blessing or endorsement by his party’s top leadership including Bobi Wine yesterday downplayed his role and said there was no secret dealing.”
Lukwago now says the statements published by Daily Monitor are false and only intended to denigrate Mr. Mpuuga, tarnish his name and were understood by all the right-thinking members of society to mean he is unprincipled, a person of double standards, untrustworthy and dishonest.
Lukwago has demanded an apology and a retraction of what he calls the fallacious and malicious publication and payment of damages of Shs200Million within 7 days.
“Should you fail to comply within 7 days from the date hereof, we shall have no option but to commence legal proceedings against you,” Lukwago warns Daily Monitor.
