Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA), a prominent law firm in Uganda, has announced its intention to take legal action against a police constable, Alex Katungi, over alleged defamation of Deputy Inspector General of Government (DIGG) Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe. Katungi, who is attached to the Environment Protection Unit of the Uganda Police Force, is accused of spreading false allegations aimed at tarnishing Muhairwe’s reputation.
According to KAA, Katungi collaborated with former Member of Parliament Mwesigwa Rukutana and certain media houses, including The Observer, to disseminate misleading claims about Muhairwe’s involvement in wetland degradation in Kajjansi. Reports alleged that she had constructed a house in a protected area and used her influence to halt enforcement efforts against the project. However, KAA lawyers maintain that these accusations are entirely baseless.
Additionally, Katungi claimed that after attempting to stop the construction, he faced retaliation from Muhairwe. He alleged that she orchestrated his humiliation, forcing him to kneel before a man named Robert Asiimwe, whom she was falsely said to have identified as her son. Further, he accused her of extorting UGX 3 million from him. KAA has dismissed these claims as outright fabrications designed to malign Muhairwe’s image.
Katungi, whose name has previously been linked to allegations of extortion and human rights violations in areas such as Kajjansi, Munyonyo, and Seguku, reportedly compiled these accusations into a formal complaint with the assistance of Rukutana. This document was widely distributed to high-ranking government officials and media outlets, which KAA now plans to sue for propagating defamatory material.
Muhairwe has decided to personally take legal action against Katungi, arguing that someone with his controversial record should not be allowed to tarnish her name. Her lawyers have issued a demand letter, giving him seven days to publicly retract his statements and issue an apology. Should he fail to comply, he faces legal consequences, including a civil suit demanding UGX 3 billion in damages.
Sources indicate that Katungi is known for his considerable wealth, with properties and high-end businesses in Munyonyo and other upscale areas of Kampala. Legal experts speculate that if the matter proceeds to court, additional details about his past conduct could emerge, potentially exposing further irregularities in his policing career.
With the ultimatum now in place, all eyes are on Katungi to see whether he will issue the required retraction or take his chances in court.
