Ex-State House official sues LCs

Mar 07, 2010

FORMER State House official Elizabeth Lugudde is suing two Luweero local council leaders for defamation. Lugudde, who was dismissed in May 2008 by President Yoweri Museveni over unethical behaviour, also wants court to compel the leaders to pay her sh100m after her farm in Mayirikiti village, Nyimbw

By Andante Okanya

FORMER State House official Elizabeth Lugudde is suing two Luweero local council leaders for defamation.

Lugudde, who was dismissed in May 2008 by President Yoweri Museveni over unethical behaviour, also wants court to compel the leaders to pay her sh100m after her farm in Mayirikiti village, Nyimbwa sub-county, was robbed of 50 head of cattle and 80 goats.

Lugudde filed a suit in 2008 against five residents of Luweero. She accused them of plotting her dismissal by writing letters to the President uttering malicious statements about her.

The accused include Nyimbwa sub-county chairman, Livingstone Nyakairu, Bbaale Kamuzingiza councillor Eramus Musisi and Martin Sempereza.

The three, were sued together with Wilson Mubiru and Nyago Ssembatya, were sued.
However, Mubiru and Ssembatya settled the case out of court with Luggude when a consent judgment was reached.

Lugudde claims that her dismissal came after she accused Nyakairu of embezzling local government grants meant for the sub -county health centre IV. In the plaint, it is alleged that the defendants stole her 50 heads of cattle plus 80 goats and jubilated on learning that they had succeeded in causing her dismissal.

“After the defendants had learned that they had succeeded in causing the plaintiff’s dismissal, they stole 50 heads of cattle and 80 goats which the defendants shared among themselves, but most were taken to the farm of Livingstone Nyakairu,” the plaint says.

She said the three should take a cue from Mubiru and Ssembatya, and settle the matter out of court.

“I am willing to drop the suit if they apologise and pay. It can be settled out of court. It is them who are delaying the matter. I made peace with Mubiru and Ssembatya,” Lugudde said.

She said the actions of the defendants made her lose two lucrative jobs.

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