King Mumbere defends self over car debt

The king, through his lawyers, says the law suit against him over a Sh20 million car debt was premature.

Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere Iremangoma has filed his defence in a suit in which he and the kingdom are accused of failing to pay a Shs20 million debt.

According to the particulars of the suit filed two weeks ago, the king and the Rwenzururu Kingdom on August 15, 2009, bought a vehicle worth Shs35 million from Mr John Kamatte, the plaintiff.

But the defendants allegedly made part payment of Shs15 million on March 7, 2012 and remained with a balance of Shs20 million, which they allegedly have not paid to date.

Through his lawyers, M/s Sibendire, Tayebwa & Co. Advocates, in a defence filed on February 27, Mr Mumbere denied the allegations.

Premature
“I am a wrong party to the suit and the suit against me is bad in law and should be dismissed with costs,” read the kings statement in part, adding that the suit was premature.

The news of the debt has drawn sympathy from well-wishers who are now contributing money to clear the arrears.

According to Mr Alfonse Kiiza, the publicity secretary for Great Lakes Company, a development partner in the kingdom, they have released a Shs25 million conditional grant so that the debt can be cleared.

On February 14, Mr John Kamatte, through his lawyers M/s Kateba, Rukanyangira & Kajara Advocates, filed a suit in the Kasese Chief Magistrate’s Court accusing the defendants of failing to effect payment of the money.

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