Erias Lukwago, the Lord Mayor, Kampala City has dragged the government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo to Court, seeking compensation of UGX 500m in damages.
Lukwago filed an application at the High Court Civil Division, stating that Opondo treated him in a cruel, degrading, and inhumane way during a political talk show ‘Frontline’, on NBS television on July 28,2022.
Lukwago contends that he was physically attacked, manhandled, and battered on the chest and stomach before being kicked out by Opondo.
Lukwago, also contends that he suffered physiological torture, trauma, and physical pain as a result.
“Thereafter, the Respondent /Ofwono pounced on my neck and attempted to strangle me, kicked me in the stomach, and grabbed my jacket as he pulled me from my chair,” says Lukwago. Lukwago further contends that he maintained his cool and tried not to engage in a fist fight but concentrated on shielding his face with his palms.
He states that the moderator of the show Charles Mwangusha, and other panelists restrained his attacker.
He submitted evidence to Court on flash disks showingOfwono shouting at him and claiming he called unknown people for reinforcement.
Lukwago explains that the DPC Kira Road Police Station together with his operations commander Aden Muzawula showed up with several police officers and liaised with Baryomunsi to evacuate him to his home at 1 am.
Lukwago now wants the court to declare that the actions of Ofwono while on air as lowering his reputation in the eyes of the right-thinking members of society.
He states that his reputation as the current Lord Mayor, High Court Advocate, Vice President Forum for Democratic Change-FDC, former MP, and former Shadow Attorney General in 8th Parliament was ruined.
The Lord Mayor also wants the court to order Ofwono to offer him a public apology.
The high court is yet to summon Ofwono to file his defense before the case is allocated to a judge to fix its hearing.