By Watchdog reporter
One of Uganda’s leading tabloids Redpepper is again in hot soup after Foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa expressing his intention to sue the newspaper over its defamatory articles.
On many occasions, Redpepper through its articles alleges that Kutesa played a role in the financial turbulence that hit Crane Bank leading to its collapse last year.
The minister through his lawyers Muwema and Company Advocates has written to the publication expressing his intention to sue and demanding up to Shs2 billion in damages as well as an apology.
According to the letter addressed to the publication’s editor, the defamatory article was published on 9 August, 2017 with a headline, ‘Sudhir, First Family Cash Secrets Leak’.
In some part, the article stated, “He had to make a phone call only to Sudhir who would in turn direct the bank managers to prepare the amount Kutesa’s bodyguard would be receiving. Out of friendship, Sudhir would as well make a huge contribution to Kutesa’s parliamentary campaigns,”
“…that after two days, Kutesa would send his bodyguard Barigye to pick on average Shs. 50 million from Crane Bank head offices along Kampala Road. To receive that money, it didn’t necessitate Kutesa to sign a cheque born withdraw slip.”
Kutesa described the article as defaming and full of grave falsehoods.
“In the result, our client has instructed us to commence vigorous legal action in the libel against you (Editor) and the Red Pepper Publications Ltd without further warning,”
“We shall also seek injunctive remedies and substantial damages in excess of Shs2 billion to atone for the harm and damage your defamatory publications have unfairly caused to him.”
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