Court asked to ban book on Museveni over defamation

By Andante Okanya

The High Court in Kampala has been asked to ban the book 'The Correct Line? Uganda under Museveni', over purported defamatory contents.

The suit against the author Dr. Olive Kobusingye was filed on October 11 by Lt. Col. Atwooki Ndahura.
He claims Besigye's younger sister defamed him by writing that he killed a one Johnson Baronda in Rukungiri during the 2001 general elections.

"The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the publication was false and be scrapped of Ugandan market," the plaint states.

Kobusingye's controversial book claims many people's expectations were dampened under the current President Yoweri Museveni-led government.

Through Kafeero and Company Advocates, Ndahura additionally asserts that Kobusingye was aware of the serious allegations against a senior military officer of proven integrity, yet she was comfortable to utter the same in a book of wide coverage.

The contentious statements are contained on pages 15 and 16. The East Africa Standby Force chief of planning claims his reputation has been tarnished. The recipient of numerous awards and medals, notably the Luwero Triangle medal, claims Kobusingye insinuated that he was promoted in the army as a reward for the 2001 incident.

The soldier claims Kobusingye has ruined and tarnished his reputation in the eyes of right thinking members of the society. He claims the book portrays him as a criminal, violator of human rights, who is unfit to serve the prestigious UPDF.  
Ndahura wants damages, to be determined by court, and is also demanding that Kobusingye and also retracts the contentious utterances. He also wants her permanently restrained from writing anything deemed defamatory to him.
him.

Court is yet to order the defendants to file their defences. A hearing date it yet to be scheduled.