General Kyaligonza: Lawyers hit back at Social media outrage against their client

Retired Maj. General Matayo Kyaligonza’s Lawyers; Balondemu & Co. Advocates have lashed at Social media reports that their client uttered derogatory and inflammable statements regarding his court summons and subsequent Court arrest warrant, issued by Mukono Chief Magistrate, Juliet Hatanga recently.

The lawyers, led by David Balondemu, on Wednesday, held a press conference in Kampala, saying the social media outrage against their client is the work of what they termed as; “General Kyaligonza’s political enemies”.

“Our client categorically denies making any statements which were intended to disrespect the orders of the courts of Law as alleged by social media”, reads the lawyers’ statement in part.

The lawyers said Maj Gen. Kyaligonza did not say: “If General Kayihura refused to go to court then why should i? The Judges are idle. You were hiding when I was fighting until I brought you President Museveni, you as a Magistrate who have you brought for this country before issuing warrant of arrest against me? You lack what to do, and you are wasting your time. You need someone to teach you a lesson. Temwewanika…..”

The lawyers said the above statement was a concoction and purely harmful propaganda intended to malign the image of their client and portray him as if he is not a law abiding citizen, who acts with impunity, whereas not.

“We have reliable information that the same is being machinated by political rivals or saboteurs and we have since, conducted the Cyber Crimes Department of the Uganda Police Force, to establish the people behind it and have them arrested and consequently prosecuted”, added the Lawyers’ report.

The lawyers pointed out that Maj Gen Kyaligonza’s case is being tried by two courts; that of Mukono Chief Magistrates Court and the Military General Court Martial concurrently, which is against the law, as one cannot appear in two courts to answer same charges.

They say they have lodged an appeal to the High Court to reverse the decision by Mukono Chief Magistrate, to issue an arrest warrant against their client, who is battling the same case in the Military General Court Martial.

Maj Gen Kyaligonza, Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, is battling a case of assault against a female police officer; Sergeant Esther Namaganda, in Seeta trading centre, of Mukono district.

General Kyaligonza is reported to have ordered his escorts to rough up the police officer, when he was stopped for making a U turn in the middle of the road.