FDCs Ingrid demands sh560m over vandalised car

By Andante Okanya

FDC Women leader Ingrid Turinawe is demanding sh560m over her purportedly vandalised car, and purported violation of her rights.

In a civil suit filed on February 14 at the High Court in Kampala, Turinawe has sued Government and Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Felix Kaweesi.

However, she does not state the car model or make, neither does she state its worth, or specify what was vandalised from it.

Government chief legal advisor the Attorney General (AG) is listed as Kaweesi’s co-defendant. Through Rwakafuuzi and Company Advocates, Turinawe claims she was assaulted last year on April 20 as she headed to the city suburb of Nansana to attend  a political rally.

She states that she was also inconvenienced, as  she had scheduled a business trip to Hoima.  Turinawe alleges that a kilometre  to the rally  venue, she was apprehended  by over 40 Police officers who blocked, and surrounded her car.

Turinawe alleges that when she explained her mission, one of the male officers grabbed her and embarrassed her, as he touched her inappropriately.

“One such male officer grabbed the plaintiff’s left breast, squeezed it with all bitterness, hostility and venom he could gather, and he enjoyed it when plaintiff wreathed in torment and agony,” the plaint states.

The plaint further states that other officers grabbed her leg and arms and attempted to undress her, as she cried for mercy.

Turinawe says she was detained at Nansana Police station for more than two hours, but released on the prompting of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kyadondo County East MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who pleaded that she needed to be examined by a doctor.

She states that as she returned to pick her car, no sooner had she entered it than a breakdown towed the car to Nansana Police station, where she was again detained until 8:00pm and again released on bond.

Turinawe is demanding sh300m, as compensation for the car, sh200m in damages, claiming she was embarrassed on television, watched by her husband and five children. She wants sh30m for purported violation of her right to liberty, and sh30m for violation of her right to assembly.

Turinawe also wants court to compel Kaweesi to produce the  officers who purportedly harassed her, and that that they should be dismissed from Police with disgrace.

The court’s registrar Eudes Keitirima has asked  the AG and Kaweesi to respond within 15 days of receipt of the summons, lest judgement is passed without their input.

Justice Elizabeth Musoke is expected to handle the case proceedings.