Family demands sh2.5b for Makerere mob justice victim

Jul 13, 2016

Makerere is accused failure to conduct crime prevention education and security awareness programmes.

KAMPALA - The family of Makerere University alumnus David Ojok, killed last year on April 12 during the ill-fated mob justice at the university's Nkrumah Hall, is demanding sh2.5b compensation from the institution.

On Monday, the family filed a civil suit against the university, at the civil division of the High Court in Kampala, accusing the university of negligence and breach of statutory duty.

"The deceased was subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and intolerable pain and suffering, and eventually death which has caused the plaintiffs and the minors for whose benefit they are suing to suffer emotional distress, pecuniary loss and other damage or injury for which they hold the defendant liable," the plaint states.

The plaintiffs (complainants) are listed as Maxson Okidi (father), Jimmy Ochan (brother), Annet Aketch (mother), Esther Apio (sister),Harriet Akello (sister), and Christopher Labong (brother).

It was filed through Centre for Legal Aid. The plaintiffs claim they are suing on behalf of school-going Sharon Aloyo and Gloria Atim, who were dependents of the deceased.

The institution is accused of failure to install adequate security gadgets and personnel to deter criminal activity.

Makerere is accused failure to conduct crime prevention education and security awareness programmes.

Ojok was holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science(2013). The family laments that the deceased was an ambitious, hardworking and illustrious young entrepreneur and fast-rising consultant in the information and communication technologies (ICT) field.

"In the technology world, the deceased was a renowned computer programmer, software developer and engineer while in the entrepreneurial world he owned and ran a string of businesses, from which he supported his family.

The family is demanding that Nkrumah Hall be renamed Ojok Hall in memory of the deceased, as a lasting reminder of the dangers of mob justice.

They also contend that the renaming could be  an indicator of the the institution's commitment to stamp out mob justice. Alternatively, the family wants a monument constructed at the hall, in memory of Ojok.

The family wants Makerere to submit to court within six months from the date of judgment, a plan of action regarding how the defendant will implement orders.

The deputy registrar Alex Ajiji has instructed the institution to file its defence within 15 days from the date of receipt of the court documents.

In the summons dated July 11, 2016,the university has been cautioned to heed, lest judgement is passed without its input.

Efforts by New Vision to seek a comment on whether the institution had been served court papers, were  futile. Telephone calls placed to the university's senior public relations officer Ritah Namisango, went unanswered.

The university's Director Legal Affairs Goddy Muhumuza, declined to comment, saying he was not authorised to do so.

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