Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago has demanded for for Shs5billion from Red Pepper or face court.
Erias Lukwago
Addressing the press today at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour, Lukwago said the money is for damages caused by the tabloid.
Red Pepper in its Thursday issue carried a story on its front page claiming Gen Salim Saleh, the younger brother to the president Museveni was constructing a multi-billion mansion for Lukwago.
Lukwago dismisses the story as false and its the same that he wants Red Pepper to retract in addition to paying in Shs3billion in damages.
“Of course a reasonable person wouldn’t waste time to respond to gutter press, but these gentlemen have developed a practice of maligning my good name and reputation for their political and pecuniary interests,” he said adding that his lawyers have already served Red Pepper with a notice of intention to sue “wherein we demanded or a retraction of same and pay damages amounting to Ug. 3bn within 4 days”.
“I would like to set the record straight that my house is a modest one and is not a mansion as alleged. Besides, the renovations being carried out at my home are financed entirely from my legitimate earnings without any assistance from anyone or at all. I have a clean working record of almost 20 years since I completed my studies at the Law School in 1996. I have no attachment to the storeyed apartment published in their paper, neither do I know the owner.”
He says that the reports are intended to dampen “our spirit and derail us from the struggle to dismantle the Kaguta Family Rule.”
“This government owes me over Ug 500 Million in salary arrears and Ug. Shs75M recently awarded to me by court as damages for inhuman treatment I was subjected to during the mabira demonstrations. I am scheduled to appear before Parliament on Tuesday next week to enforce payment of the same.”
