Bush war claimant petitions court over compensation

A  man who claims he facilitated the National Resistance Army(NRA) bush war from 1981-1986, with money, food, and vehicle, has petitioned court demanding compensation.

On May 10, Fred Lubwama filed a civil suit at the civil division of the High Court in Kampala, demanding compensation for the purported damage of his pick-up. NRA captured power on January 26, 1986, and subsequently formed a government, with President Yoweri Museveni at the helm.

The chief legal advisor and representative of government the Attorney General(AG), is listed as the  defendant.

Through Newmark Advocates, Lubwama asserts that he was promised compensation but all has been in vain for the past 20 years.

Lubwama claims in the early 1980's, he joined the panther batallion under the command of Brig. Kasirye Gwanga.

"The plaintiff surrendered his motor vehicle, a pick up to the urban task force of the Uganda Freedom Movement(UFM) for purposes of easing transportation of war equipment and forces," the plaint states in part.

Lubwama contends that in 1996, government established a war debt committee headed by Maj. Gen.Kahinda Otafiire, who was at the time at rank of Colonel.

He states that Otafiire was tasked to gather particulars and amount owed to each of  the claimants, and subsequently forward their names for compensation.

According to court documents, Otafiire in a letter dated September 25, 1996, wrote to President Yoweri Museveni, seeking advice on Lubwama's  plight.

In Museveni's  response through his then principal private secretary, in a letter dated April 8, 1997, he tasked the committee to brief him on the modalities of the compensation.

Consequently, the committee resolved that the claimants and other veterans be paid. Lubwama asserts that it was particularly recommended that he be compensated at the value of the prevailing market price.

But Lubwama laments that efforts to effect compensation have not yield any fruit, despite the compensation approval.

Court documents also show that in a letter dated May 10, 2010, the Office of the President, wrote to the Luwero Triangle minister, demanding a brief on the progress of the compensation.

Documents also indicate that on March 16, 2012, the Office of the President, through the PPS, wrote to the Luwero Triangle minister, notifying about a petition by Gwanga on compensation of UFM.

The deputy registrar  Alex Ajiji,in summons dated May 10, 2010, has instructed the AG to file his defence within 15 days from the date of receipt of the court papers.

On Wednesday, the Solicitor General Francis Atoke, told New Vision that the registry of the AG's chambers, was yet to be served the court papers.