Otunnu charged with defaming Museveni

By JOB BWIRE

The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party president Dr. Olara Otunnu Tuesday appeared before the Buganda road chief Magistrate's court for allegedly defaming President Yoweri Museveni.

He denied the charges and he was released on bond  of sh20m.
 
Otunnu was recently issued with criminal summons by the presiding Buganda road court Magistrate, Araali Muhiirwa, to appear in court over charges of defaming President Museveni and also ignoring Police and court summons over the matter.
 
While addressing the media at the party headquarters in Kampala recently, Otunnu confirmed receiving the criminal summons, adding that he will comply with the court orders.

According to the summons, Otunnu is answerable to two charges that include libel against the person of the President of Uganda and failure to attend written court summons.
 
"I will go to court to hear the charges and I look forward to it. However, I stand by everything I have said about the President's atrocities with regard to his impunity in the country," said Otunnu.
 
Prosecution alleges that on January 16, 2013 while at the UPC party headquarters at Uganda House, Otunnu with intent to defame President Museveni allegedly made defamatory remarks.
 
The State further claims that on February 28, 2013 without reasonable excuse, Otunnu also ignored a Police summon to appear before the Media Crime Department at CIID despite acknowledging receipt of the summons at a press conference he convened at Uganda House.
 
The UPC president's troubles stem from a January 16 press conference he addressed and allegedly questioned the deaths of what he called President Museveni's allies since the Front for National Salvation's (FRONASA) struggles to date, saying they should be investigated.

However, presidential Advisor on Media, John Nagenda, has since dismissed Otunnu's remarks as unfortunate and not deserving a reply.