Pilgrims Uganda Ltd a Christian charity organization based in Soroti has dragged Cpt Mike Mukula, the NRM National Vice Chairman, Eastern Uganda to court for defamation under Suit No. 347 of 2023, Kampala High Court.
The cause of action arose on the 21st day of August 2023 at 11:22 AM when Capt Mike Mukula posted the following tweet on the social media platform called X (formerly twitter), using his verified handle “@Mukulaa” and the tweet reads;
“I have read with serious concern and consternation over the purported sale of soroti golf course – club to Pilgrim company (a private company) Land which is a private good for the community in Soroti City under Uganda Golf Union and administered by the city administration- The community has opted to go to court and contest this purported infringement and acquisition- we invite many lawyers to join this legal contest on behalf of the people”. The tweet was also tagged to H.E Kaguta Museveni the President of the Republic of Uganda’s account which has Three Million and One hundred thousand (3,100,00) followers and Mr Kiryowa Kk, the Attorney General of Uganda’s account that has Eighty Thousand and Nine Hundred (80,900) followers.
According to Kaganzi and Company Advocates the above mentioned offending tweet/publication, has so far been liked 236 (two hundred thirty six) times, viewed over 42,000 (forty two thousand) times, reposted 56 (fifty six) times and quoted 6 (six) times while Mukula’s verified handle, has 265,400 (Two hundred sixty five thousand and four hundred) followers.
Kaganzi argues that the Plaintiff is a legally registered corporate entity, which has no connection whatsoever with Soroti Golf course -Club and neither are they party to any court matter that the Defendant was referring to. Pilgrim lawyer argues that the Defendant’s above mentioned publication is maliciously false and deliberately aimed at portraying the Plaintiff as an entity that infringes/has infringed on the rights of the very community in which it operates – which is not true. Accordingly the defamatory tweet/publication, has caused and continues to inter alia cause; severe damage to the Plaintiff’s work and reputation in the eyes of right thinking members of society.
kaganzi and Co Advocates argue that the Defendant had the opportunity to fact-check the allegations in his impugned tweet; by doing a search of the public records at court, the Ministry of Lands Registry and Uganda Registration Services Bureau, before publishing it to the whole world, but opted not to this the Defendant’s intention was deliberate and calculated to damage the Plaintiff’s work and reputation. The Plaintiff avers and contends that the Defendant’s impugned tweet/post is defamatory of the Plaintiff.
Pilgrim is now asking Court for;
a. A declaration that the tweet/post published by the Defendant on his X (former twitter) verified handle @Mukulaa on the 21st day of August 2023 at 1122 hours, defamed the Plaintiff;
b. An order directing the Defendant to immediately delete the impugned defamatory tweet/post;
c. An order directing the Defendant to immediately issue and publish an apology to the Plaintiff in the same manner and mode of communication as the one he used to publish the impugned defamatory tweet//post;
d. A permanent injunction be issued restraining the Defendant from publishing any further defamatory tweets/post/communication about the Plaintiff;
e. General, aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages;
f. Interest; and Costs of the suit.
Attempts by this website to reach Capt Mike Mukula on this article were futile
