OWNERS of the 27 vehicles that were set ablaze by protesters who attacked and burnt down Nateete Police Station will be compensated by President Yoweri Museveni.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, had announced that the rioters and their masterminds should be held responsible for the loss of property as a result of the riot.
If the President had not intervened, what options would the victims have had? Legal and actuarial scientists say the car owners could still have had their vehicles replaced, depending on certain conditions.
Could they have sued anyone for the loss of their cars? Osmond Atwine, a legal officer at The New Vision says they could have if the cars were held by the Police within their mandate.
He adds that for a case against the Attorney General to succeed, the car owners would have to prove that the police breached their duty of care owed to owners of vehicles in their custody.
Atwine says evidence of poor security accorded to the vehicles at the time of the attack would help sustain such a claim in negligence.
On the other hand, if one had insured their car comprehensively, they would have had it replaced by the insurance company if riots are covered.
Simon Esogu, a claims officer, at Goldstar Insurance Company says, they are handling cases of clients whose cars were burnt in Nateete.
How comprehensive insurance policy works
Apart from the mandatory Third Party insurance, people who wish to buy a Comprehensive insurance policy have to pay a percentage of the estimated value of their car, ranging from three to six percent annually. However, Comprehensive insurance automatically includes
Third Party.
If the insured car is accidentally destroyed, or damages another car or person, all the owner has to do is to fill a claim form and present it with a Police report and copies of the driver’s permit and log book.
If another car is involved, then the owner also has to present copies of driver’s permit, log book and a demand letter.
Who would compensate Nateete car owners?
