Kampala. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has
sued government over his brutal arrest days to his controversial
impeachment by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) councillors in
2013.
Mr Lukwago, in a suit filed before the High Court last Friday, claims police violently arrested him on November 19, 2013, at his home in Rubaga Division, and drove him at breakneck speed to Naggalama Police Station in Mukono District.
His arrest alongside former FDC leader Kizza Besigye was aimed at stopping him from addressing the Kampala electorate about the impact of his impeachment on November 25.
The foiled rally had been organised at Nakivubo Blue Primary School in downtown, Kampala.
“The plaintiff’s claim against the defendant (Attorney General) is for general, exemplary and punitive damages for trespass to person, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, torture and being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment by some policemen in the course of their duties as full time employees of the Uganda Police Force,” the lawsuit reads in part.
In the suit, Mr Lukwago also narrates how he was arrested from his home and detained at Kira Road Police Station without any charge being preferred against him.
Court documents that this newspaper has seen show that the Lord Mayor and Dr Besigye were charged with ‘being a member of unlawful society’, charges they denied.
Documents also indicate that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Mike Chibita, lost interest in the case and withdrew it on July 11 last year.
Mr Lukwago now holds government liable for the acts of the police that he says made him suffer injury, psychological torture, ridicule, pain and gross inconvenience for which he is seeking damages.
By press time, Attorney General Freddie Ruhindi had not yet been summoned to file in his defence before court hears the matter.
Mr Lukwago, in a suit filed before the High Court last Friday, claims police violently arrested him on November 19, 2013, at his home in Rubaga Division, and drove him at breakneck speed to Naggalama Police Station in Mukono District.
His arrest alongside former FDC leader Kizza Besigye was aimed at stopping him from addressing the Kampala electorate about the impact of his impeachment on November 25.
The foiled rally had been organised at Nakivubo Blue Primary School in downtown, Kampala.
“The plaintiff’s claim against the defendant (Attorney General) is for general, exemplary and punitive damages for trespass to person, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, torture and being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment by some policemen in the course of their duties as full time employees of the Uganda Police Force,” the lawsuit reads in part.
In the suit, Mr Lukwago also narrates how he was arrested from his home and detained at Kira Road Police Station without any charge being preferred against him.
Court documents that this newspaper has seen show that the Lord Mayor and Dr Besigye were charged with ‘being a member of unlawful society’, charges they denied.
Documents also indicate that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Mike Chibita, lost interest in the case and withdrew it on July 11 last year.
Mr Lukwago now holds government liable for the acts of the police that he says made him suffer injury, psychological torture, ridicule, pain and gross inconvenience for which he is seeking damages.
By press time, Attorney General Freddie Ruhindi had not yet been summoned to file in his defence before court hears the matter.
The background
On November 25, 2013, Mr Lukwago was impeached by Kampala Capital City Authority councillors over conduct unbefitting of the office of the Lord Mayor. On November 14, a tribunal report by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, triggered his impeachment. Mr Lukwago then went to the High Court and filed an application for judicial review on November 20, challenging the report.
On November 25, 2013, Mr Lukwago was impeached by Kampala Capital City Authority councillors over conduct unbefitting of the office of the Lord Mayor. On November 14, a tribunal report by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, triggered his impeachment. Mr Lukwago then went to the High Court and filed an application for judicial review on November 20, challenging the report.
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