'Defamed' Mwondha lines up defense team

By Andante Okanya 

Justice Faith Mwondha, currently locked in a defamation case battle with Monitor Publications Ltd, has lined up fellow High Court judge Ralph Ocan, and deputy secretary to the treasury Keith Muhanguzi, as her witnesses.

The witnesses are expected to appear at the High Court in Kampala on May 8, when the case resumes in court presided by Justice Eldad Mwangusya.

The case that arose on January 13, 2011, stemmed from two contentious stories; 'IGG in salary scandal' published on August 19, 2007 and 'God's warrior Faith Mwondha stumbles' published on August 26, 2007.

The articles carried information that the former Inspector General of Government (IGG) may have irregularly drawn a salary meant for a judge, as it was higher, while at the same time enjoying allowances for the office of IGG because they were higher than those of serving judges.

The newspaper report stated that the judges' monthly salaries had been increased from sh2,583,000 to sh4,575,000 and the IGG's salary was sh2.9m.

Mwondha has since refuted the claims.

In the court sitting of Friday March 15, Mwondha’s lawyer George Omunyokol stated that he would produce the witnesses on May 8.

Mwondha was present in court, while James Nangwala appeared as lawyer for Monitor Publications, as the company secretary Anne Abeja Muhwezi also was present.

Justice Ochan is the resident judge of the High Court in Masindi, while Mwondha is the resident judge of Nakawa Court in Kampala.

Mwondha who was re-examined by her lawyer, that Friday reiterated her earlier statement that she was offended by the two contentious Monitor articles. She said she was depicted negatively.

“The articles were malicious and scandalous.  I am not selfish and I don’t grab what belongs to anybody,” Mwondha said.

 She said she particularly took offence with the 'God's warrior Faith Mwondha stumbles' article, stressing that she is steadfast and resolute in her beliefs.

There is currently a gag order from court stopping Monitor Publications from publishing articles related to the case, until judgment is passed.

The order was made on March 1, after Mwondha’s lawyer complained that  Monitor Publications had provided an online avenue for people to discuss the proceedings, yet  the case is still ongoing.