Dei Minerals International proprietor Mathias Magoola has opened a defamation case against Igara East Member of Parliament Michael Mawanda, alleging malicious falsehoods through the media.
Documents and letters on court record show that TASKK Advocates, Magoola’s lawyers have written to MP Mawanda over alleged defamatory and frivolous media stories, noting that his reputation as businessmen has been shattered beyond repair.
“The integrity and credibility built by the plaintiff through his vast nature of both external and internal financiers, investors, clientele, employees, relatives, friends, in-laws during a span of time was shattered due to authoring, editing and publishing of frivolous, fictitious and concocted stories against him,” lawyers wrote.
Mawanda, together with former lands minister Isaac Musumba, claimed that Magoola had refused to pay them in a different matter where the trio are entitled to some compensation from an Indian firm.
The allegations have since been dismissed in court, as inaccurate.
Magoola also demands punitive and exemplary damages, reasoning that Mawanda alongside other defendants ignored a notice of intention to sue which was duly served to them.
“…. our client has suffered emotional pain, anguish and suffering and has been put to great embarrassment, grief, mental anguish and ridicule in addition to causing him to limit interactions with his peers, contemporaries, business partners and colleagues in order for him to avoid contempt and ridicule that he suffers when amongst them,” lawyers wrote, adding that:
Ugandan enterprises urged to explore regional oil and gas opportunities“This emotional suffering has caused him to suffer stress and affected his moods and behavior in a depressing manner.”.
Magoola, through lawyers, wants an apology for the alleged falsehoods published against him, retraction of the same and compensation for the pain, described above, estimated in the sum of UGX 2,000,000,000 (Uganda Shillings two billion).
The High Court has since directed Mawanda to file a defence in the said suit within fifteen (15) days from the date of service of summons on him in the manner prescribed under Order 9 Rule 1 Civil Procedures Rules.
“SHOULD YOU FAIL to file a Defence on or before the date mentioned, the Plaintiff may proceed with the suit and judgment may be given in your absence,” High Court Registrar wrote.
