Court Orders Govt To Pay Lukwago Shs 75m For Malicious Arrest

Written by: 
CHRISTOPHER TUSIIME

High court presided over by Justice Yasin Nyanzi has directed government to pay Kampala lord mayor Erias Lukwago Shs 75 million to compensate his malicious arrest by the police, about nine years ago.

Lukwago was, in 2007, arrested for 'disobeying' a police officer's instructions that stopped them from accessing the Constitutional Square to hold public rally. They were protesting activities of the notorious Kiboko squad which was thought to be a state Machinery

Lukwago, was with MP Adonga Otto for aruu and the two were first charged before Buganda Road court for disrespecting District Police Commander (DPC) Emmanuel Muhairwe Central by disobeying his orders.

However, Lukwago, who was then the Kampala central Member of parliament, appealed in High Court which today held that he was handled in a degrading manner given the fact that he was a prominent leader.

Justice Nyanzi also said that the Shs 75m will keep attracting interest from today until its paid, adding that the government also has to pay all the expenses he incurred during the pursuit of the case.

The clearly excited Lukwago welcomed the ruling and said that police should always check its excessive use of power to eliminate future loses to by government.