Constitutional Court sought in Museveni defamation case

The FDC party chairperson for Katikamu South, Luweero District, Swaibu Nsamba Gwogyolonga, accused of defaming President Yoweri Museveni has asked court to refer his case to the Constitutional Court for interpretation.

Gwogyolonga made the request through his lawyer Martin Masika before Buganda Road Court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu. He is currently out on a non-cash bail of sh50m.

He is accused of defaming the President by posting his image in a casket on Facebook.

Gwogyolonga is battling charges of offensive communication and libel contrary to sections 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011 and 181(1) of the Penal Code Act (PCA).

According to the lawyer, the section under which charges were preferred against his client contravenes Article 137 of the Constitution. Therefore he wants the Constitutional Court to pronounce itself on the said provision.

In December last year, Police arrested Gwogyolonga in Wobulenzi Town Council, Luweero District, for allegedly posting on Facebook a photo depicting President Museveni in a dead state with him (Gwogyolonga) expressing how he will announce the President's demise.

The case was adjourned to March.