LOCAL musician Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, and his civilian bodyguards, have filed a notice to sue the Government seeking over sh800m in compensation.
They were allegedly shot by a Policeman near Centenary Park Gardens.
Bebe Cool, Allan Masengere, Godfrey Kayiiza and Abas Bosco Kabobyo filed their notice in court on February 2, and served it on the Attorney General. He has to reply the claims within 45 days.
Bebe Cool, the son of former minister Bidandi Ssali, and the three others are claiming that the state is liable for the policeman’s actions.
The group alleges that on January 29, as they walked near the park, a Special Police Constable, Anthony Achikan, fired over 10 bullets at them, injuring everyone including his fellow policeman who was accompanying them.
They want the court to compel the Government to compensate them for permanent and partial disability, loss of income and medical expenses.
They also want to be paid damages for torture and injuries they suffered as a result of the wanton, reckless and indiscriminate shooting.
The victims have been hospitalised at St. Francis’ Hospital in Nsambya where they underwent surgical operations.
President Yoweri Museveni, Vice-president Prof. Gilbert Buke
nya and the Police chief, Maj Gen. Kale Kayihura, are among the dignitaries who visited Bebe Cool in hospital.
Kayihura regretted the incident and promised investigations into the matter.
The group states that Bebe Cool was shot twice and sustained a fracture in the thigh.
Masengere and Kayiiza also suffered fractures in their legs, while Kabobyo was shot in the stomach, the left hand and the right leg.
According to the notice, Bebe Cool, who earns a living by staging shows, is likely to be off the stage for over six months, for which he demands compensation amounting to sh500m.
The group further claims that the policeman’s actions caused financial loss, anguish, inconvenience and distress to the victims, for which they would seek general, punitive and exemplary damages.
