Govt sued over LRA 2001 Murchison park murders

By Andante Okanya 

Government has been sued over the March 26, 2001 Lord’s Resistance Army gruesome murders that claimed the lives of nine people including the director of the Jimmy Sekasi Institute of Catering, who were on a tour of Murchison Falls National Park.

On June 14, Jimmy Sekasi's widow Grace Sekasi filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala, demanding compensation from Government, alleging it failed to protect the deceased plus the eight other survivors who were on tour.

Through Mukasa-Lugalambi Advocates and Solicitors, the widow who jointly filed the suit with the institute, accuses Government of failing to conduct an investigation to result in prosecution of the culprits.

"The plaintiffs contend that as a result of the defendants actions, they have suffered tremendous mental trauma, cannot find peace as they cannot cause a meaningful action against any perpetrator of  these heinous actions so as to get retributive justice of any kind," the plaint states.

Uganda Wildlife Authority is listed as a co-defendant of Government's chief legal advisor the Attorney General(AG). However, the widow does not specify the monetary value of the compensation she demands.

The plaintiffs contend that Governments actions are unconstitutional and illegal, since it has an obligation to give a satisfactory explanation to those affected by the gruesome attack. The widow asserts that efforts to compel Government to release an official report, have been fruitless.

The plaintiffs further allege that the families of those affected have been "treated as non-entities". The manager of national parks UWA is faulted for failing to ensure ample security for its clients. The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the Government's actions are illegal and unconstitutional.

The AG and UWA are yet to respond to the allegations. Court is yet to schedule a hearing date.