Besigye sister faces suit over critical book
Dr Kobusingye at the launch of the Luganda version of her controversial book, Lino Ly’ekkubo Ettuufu?, in Kampala on October 6, 2011. PHOTO BY ISAAC KASAMANI
What you need to know:
A once member of the Court Martial, Lt-Col Ndahura Atwooki, says Dr Olive Kobusingye’s book has dented his reputation.
KAMPALA
Dr Olive Kobusingye, a younger sister to Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye, has been sued for allegedly publishing defamatory matter in her 213-page book, ‘The Correct Line? Uganda under Museveni’. The book is critical of President Museveni’s government.
Dr Kobusingye was sued by Lt-Col Ndahura Atwooki Biraku Rataku, a senior army officer in a case before the High Court in Kampala on Friday. “The plaintiff’s (Lt Col. Ndahura) claim against the defendant (Dr Kobunsigye) is for libel in respect to the reckless, false and malicious printing and causing to be published a defamatory article in her book: The correct line? Uganda under Museveni.” read the suit in part
In his complaint, the army officer claims Dr Kobusingye in her book on page 15 paragraph 3 and on page 16 Chapter 1, falsely wrote that unofficial reports indicated that three people had been killed and that Lt-Col Ndahura and the Presidential Protection Unit soldiers who perpetrated this violence, were never apprehended.
The army officer, who was once a member of the Court Martial, also alleges that Dr Kobusingye claimed that after that unfortunate incident, he was promoted to the to the rank of Lt-Col in 2011 and was decorated with the Luwero Triangle medal.
According to him, the allegations by Dr Kobusingye were false and defamatory in nature.
He claims this has now caused him ridicule, odium and that his reputation has been lowered in the eyes of the right thinking members of the society.
“The allegations were and are false, libelous and defamatory of the plaintiff as they have exposed him to ridicule, odium and contempt and lowered his reputation as a military officer in the eyes of the right thinking members of the society especially the ministry of defence.” Lt-Col Ndahura said.
The army officer claims that the allegations depict him as a criminal, partisan and unfit to hold his current rank in the army and a violator of human rights among others.
Through his lawyers, Lt-Col Ndahura wants an apology from Dr Kobusingye and also that she retracts the alleged libelous matter from her book. He is also asking the court to issue a permanent injunction restraining her and her agents from further publication of alleged defamatory matter against him. He is also seeking damages for the alleged reckless publication.
Dr Kobusingye highlights in her book stories of some Ugandans whose experiences in President Museveni’s 26-year rule sharply contradict what they had expected in the new Uganda under him. The court is yet to summon Dr Kobusingye to file her defence as per the defamatory allegations.
