Honourable Chris Baryomunsi is allegedly in trouble over defamatory and offensive statements made about a one Godfrey Akampurira, a student at Law Development Centre in Kampala.
In his notice, Akampurira alias Akampa claims that in August and November 2019, Baryomunsi and five others posted malicious statements in a Whatsapp group known as ” Esau and friends ” accusing him of abandoning his wife together with four children in his home village. The five others are Esau Turyatunga, Austin Agaba, Sam Mugabi, George Byomugabi and Ivan Twinobusingye.
He also says that Baryomunsi posted another message which he sent to a third party indicating that the petitioner had defiled and impregnated his sister but the child died. Akampa’s lawyers of Higenyi, Ngugo and Wadamba advocates say that they want Baryomunsi and five others to issue a written and public apology to him because of the embarrassment, isolation and mental anguish they have caused to their client.
“Your malicious statements are libel and actionable under the laws of Uganda as they have caused grave damage to our client’s image and reputation because a number of right thinking members of society have developed hatred contempt, ridicule against our said client and many more have shunned him”, reads the notice sent to the state minister in part.
Akampa also wants the group to pay him Shillings 200 million in damages and Shillings 15 million as the minimal legal fees, saying failure to do so in five days will lead to the institution of both civil and criminal proceedings against them.
Baryomunsi’s office confirmed to have received the notice on 11th November 2019.
It should be noted that, this not the first time the state minister is being charged over defamatory statements and cases as he has been in the scuffle with businessman Garuga James Musinguzi, the proprietor of Kinkiizi development company where the latter accused the former of defamation. He was asked to pay 50million shillings after being proved guilty. Minister Baryomunsi was also dragged to court for defamation by former Minister Miria Matembe for comments he made on popular talk show, The Frontline.
