By George Bukenya
Following his acquittal, Political activist Habib Buwembo turns his gun to Rt.Hon. Speaker Annet Anita Among for defamation and endangering him and his family.
Buwembo is now asking Among to pay him the damages the Speaker caused to him when he caused police to arrest and prosecute him on grounds that he called her a “Karamoja Iron sheets thief” something she says total amounts to defamation.
In retriaration Buwembo said that he is also suing the Speaker for defamation and malicious prosecution on baseless allegations which damaged his reputation and subsequent losing of business partners and friends.
Magistrate Rehema Nasozi of KCCA court sitting at city Hall premises acquitted Buwembo on grounds that the Speaker through her counsel failed to adduce evidence to pin the defendant (Buwembo) that he defamed her through her words over the media.
Buwembo was accused of malicious publication on the person of the Speaker of Parliament Rt.Hon Annette Anita Among by calling her a ‘Karamajongo iron sheets thief’.
The grade one magistrate Nassozi made this ruling after the failure of the State to produce any witness in court against Habibu Buwembo, and the plaintiff (Rt. Hon Among) failure to appear in person to pin the defendant on derogatory information as earlier state in the filled case
Buwembo also most a year ago was arrested and remanded at Luzira prison for a couple of months and charged for Malicious publication but later released on cash bail of Ugx 3 million and 10 million non-cash to each of his two sureties.
Speaking to media shortly after the court hearing, he said, although his lawyer, Wander Ronald Samuel from Matsiko Wander and Alinda Advocates isn’t in the country, he will instruct him to file a case against the Speaker seeking compensation.
The out spoken Buwemba wants the Speaker to compensate him with UGX 10 billion for maliciously causing his arrest, defamation and for all the losses and damages he suffered during the period he has been battling with the case.,
“ Even though the case has been dismissed, I will not allow the Speaker to go scot free because if feel my name has been damaged now people fear to deal with me.’’ Buwembo stated.
He further said this has made him lose his reputation and business partners which as negatively affected not only his wellbeing but for his entire family and he value such losses suffered in UGX 10 billion.
On 25th February,2022, police charge and committed him to court offence of threatening violence on Rt. Hon Anita Among then as Deputy Speaker and on 21st September, 2023 he was again arrested and charged with an offence of Malicious Information and misuse of computer.
In the charge sheet, police alleged that Buwembo Habib through his Facebook Account and using various WhatsApp forums spread malicious information addressing the Rt. Hon. Speaker Anita Annet Among as a ‘Karamajong Iron sheet thief’.
Since then he has been battling with two cases until when court decided to dismiss the later after state prosecutor failed to attend and present evidences and witness for the plaintiff.