Alleged coup plotter files sh500m suit against govt

A man who claims he was tortured and illegally detained by state security operatives over a purported coup plot, has slapped government with a sh500m bill. 

On February 7, Sulaiman Mukiibi filed a civil suit at the civil division of the High Court in Kampala. Government's chief legal representative and adviser; the Attorney General (AG), is listed as defendant. 

Through Odokel Opolot & Company Advocates, Mukiibi is seeking a pronouncement that his arrest on January 15, 2012, was illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional. 

Mukiibi claims he was tortured and told to disclose hidden guns for subversive activities. He says he was also branded member of a rebel group. 

He purports that he was detained for two months at a non-gazetted facility. Mukiibi also claims he was detained for three months at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), without being charged in court. 

The complainant also purports he was detained for two weeks at Kireka Police Station, without being charged. Mukiibi says he was detained at Luzira Prison without being produced in court. 

He claims to have been robbed of sh250,000, a wallet, mobile phone and a driving permit. 

The complainant asserts that his woes started when he was unexpectedly arrested by Police officers at about 2:30pm in the city suburb of Kalerwe. 

"The plaintiff was never informed of the reason of his arrest and neither did the Police officers have an arrest warrant" the plaint states. 

"The plaintiff was immediately blindfolded, handcuffed and ferried by police officers to a safe house not known to the plaintiff" it adds.

He also laments that he was denied access to family, starved and denied medical attention. Mukiibi says his misery was used as a bargaining chip to confess, in exchange for freedom. 

He purports to have been stabbed with a knife during intense interrogation. Mukiibi claims after a week in Luzira Prison, he was taken to Buganda Road Court for plea taking. 

Court documents show that the case at Buganda Road Court, was dismissed on December 15, 2014, after it had stalled for eight months, when prosecution failed to adduce any evidence. 

Mukiibi claims he is now destitute and cannot execute his duties as a driver. 

Court has since issued summons dated February 7, directing the AG to file a defence within 15 days from the date of receipt of the court documents. 

Denis Bireije; the director civil litigation in the office of the AG, told New Vision, that he was not yet aware of the case.