Charles Ssebyala, the LC 3 chairperson of Luweero town council and nine councilors are in trouble for allegedly defaming the town clerk Muluuta Mugagga. Some of the councilors are Halima Ssonko, Grace Wadda, Suzan Bwanika, Zainabu Kasirye, Gitta Margaret and Robert Okello. The town clerk has dragged the politicians to Luweero magistrate’s court seeking compensation for general damages.
Through M/S Waluku, Wettaka and Company Advocates Muluta contends that on 18th February, 2012 while at Kasana town council, Ssebyala and the councilors publically announced that they had fired him for embezzling over five million shillings through paying himself fake allowances and his nonexistent drivers for a period of 18 months.
Muluta says that the officials repeated the same claims in Luweero town council on 19th February and various media platforms knowing that the allegations are false, slanderous and defamatory. He explains that the accusations have exposed him to ridicule, hatred, contempt and injured his reputation in the eyes of right thinking members of society and his employers, ministry of local government.
Luweero chief magistrate’s court has given the accused 15 days to submit their defense within 15 days or else court will pass judgment in their absence. Charles Sebyala and the councilor have confirmed receiving the summons but insist that the town clerk embezzled the said money. Ssebyala says that they have documented their evidence and forwarded the matter to the Inspectorate of government for investigations.
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Zainabu Kasirye, one of the councilors dragged to court claims the town clerk is trying to intimidate them but warns that they will not be deterred from demanding accountabilities and expose corruption in the council.
In April 2012, Luweero town council passed a second resolution recommending the interdiction of Muluuta by Christopher Kyomya, the Luweero Chief Administrative Officer. However, the interdiction was deferred pending advice from the solicitor general.
