Should Ofwono pay Lukwago Shs500 million?

In his petition to the High Court in Kampala, Lukwago has asked the court to compel Opondo to pay him the sum for tarnishing his image and dignity. On top of the stated sum, Lukwago also wants Opondo to come out publicly and apologise for the manner in which he handled the debate.

While appearing on a local station, clad in his civic regalia, Lukwago lamented the disrespect he was subjected to in the eyes of his family, colleagues, friends and the public he serves. He said that compared to the damages inflicted on his reputation as a lawyer, mayor, shadow justice minister, father, husband, the money is insignificant.

“The actions and conduct of the respondent (Ofwono) were egregious, cruel, barbaric and high-handed in a nature for which I pray for an award of compensation and general exemplary and punitive damages totaling to Shs500m against the respondent, because his actions subjected me to ridicule, odium and denigration,” he states in the lawsuit.

Lukwago states that he managed to keep his cool under Opondo's threats, blows and allegedly, the risk of losing his life.

“I suffered psychological torture, trauma and physical pain when Mr Ofwono charged at me, pushed his hand into the pocket and around his waist in a manner that suggested he wanted to draw a pistol at me, threatened to evict me from the studios, and the subsequent punches and kicks in the chest and stomach,” Lukwago states in his lawsuit.

Opondo reportedly ignored all conduct and disregarded the presence of Information minister, Chris Baryomunsi, former Kasese District Woman Member of Parliament Winnie Kiiza and talk show host Charles Mwangushya. The three have been noted as witnesses with leave from court.

Opondo is yet to make any statement on the incident. Court has not yet summoned him to file his defence before judgement is passed.

Should Ofwono pay the Shs 500 million?

Section 236 of the Penal Code Act states that any person who commits an assault occasioning actual bodily harm, commits a misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

Opondo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Media Center, reportedly earns over Shs 20,000,000 (twenty million) per month. Therefore, if found guilty, would be deprived of much of these earnings if he were to be jailed for five years.

Hence, some observers believe, what Lukwago is demanding in damages is reasonable in view of Ofwono's pay.