The High Court in Kampala has dismissed a defamation suit filed by former Inspector General of Government (IGG) Beti Kamya against former Ethics Minister Dr. Miria Matembe.
In a judgment delivered by Civil Division Judge Bonny Isaac Teko, the court held that Kamya failed to prove that the statements in question damaged her reputation, noting that the remarks largely amounted to protected political commentary on matters of public interest.
The judge found that while Kamya may have considered the statements offensive and politically damaging, she did not sufficiently demonstrate that her standing in society had been lowered as a result of the broadcasts.
The case arose from statements made by Matembe during television interviews aired on TVsUganda in July and December 2021, following Kamya’s appointment as IGG.
Kamya, through her lawyers Anguria & Co. Advocates, sued Matembe, accusing her of making false and defamatory statements that portrayed her as corrupt, dishonest, unethical, and unfit to hold the constitutional office of IGG.
She sought declarations that the statements were defamatory, a permanent injunction restraining Matembe from repeating them, a public apology and retraction, as well as general, punitive, and exemplary damages.
Justice Teko further found that the comments were made within the context of a broader public discussion on governance, accountability, and anti-corruption.
By URN
Leave a Reply