Red Pepper to pay Faridah Nakazibwe sh45m

Nakazibwe (right) with her husband Omar Ssali

Television news anchor, Faridah Nakazibwe has every reason to smile after she was awarded sh45m against the Red Pepper Publication for defamation.

The Uganda Media Council headed by Paulo Ekochu delivered its ruling on Monday in the case filed by Nakazibwe against the tabloid and its editor Richard Tusiime.

Through her lawyer, Jimmy Muyanja, Nakazibwe had demanded to be paid general damages of up to sh300m for each article and sh2b for exemplary damages saying she suffered mental anguish and a lowered esteem in the eyes of her children, family and society.

The complainant stated that respondents unlawfully printed and published 38 articles about the complainant in the newspaper, its website and the Hello newspaper.

In her testimony, the complainant stated that she is a married woman of Islamic faith and  a lady of integrity and good morals. She said the publications were false except for the fact that she had a relationship with Hajji Musa Kigongo and that she has children.

Other members of the Council include Peter Okello Jabweli, Pius Mwinganisa and Assumpta Kemigisha.