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State lawyer apologises to FDC’s Ingrid over police brutality
FDC's Ms Ingrid Turinawe. File photo
What you need to know:
The presiding judge Elizabeth Musoke allowed the state lawyer's request and said Ms Turinawe’s lawyer should start by writing a settlement proposal to the Attorney General before they come back to court next year in February
KAMPALA
Government has apologised to the leader of Women’s league in opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Ms Ingrid Turinawe, over manhandling, squeezing of her breast and vandalism of her car by police officers.
Ms Turinawe had sued the police and government (defendants) for allegedly squeezing her breast while she went to attend a political rally in Nansana, Wakiso district last year. She wanted Shs560 million as compensation for damages to atone for this embarrassment.
However, through its lawyer/state attorney, Mr George Kalemeera, government said the incident was unfortunate and embarrassing to Ms Turinawe and asked the High court to allow it settle the case amicably.
“It was unfortunate incident which we regret and we would prefer an out of court settlement,” Mr Kalemeera said.
Ms Turinawe through her lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi sued the Police Director of Operations Andrew Felix Kaweesi and the Attorney General Peter Nyombi also seeking orders directing the defendants to identify and produce before court the male police officer who squeezed her breast.
Court documents indicate that on the fateful day of 20th, April 2012, as she was driving to Nansana town council to attend a political rally by various oppositional leaders, police intercepted her and in the process of arguing, a male police officer forcefully grabbed her left breast with all bitterness and hostility.
She claims that the brutal action by the police embarrassed her before so many people in Nansana who watched her being harassed, and also her five children and husband.
The presiding judge Elizabeth Musoke allowed the state lawyer's request and said Ms Turinawe’s lawyer should start by writing a settlement proposal to the Attorney General before they come back to court next year in February.
The damages
Breaking the damages down, Ms Turinawe is seeking for Shs300 million as punitive damages and compensation for her vandalized car, Shs200 million as general damages, Shs30 million as breach of her right to liberty and another Shs30 million as punitive damages.
