By Aggrey Baba
Nakaseke South MP, Paulson Luttamaguzi is in tears, regretting why he opposed Nsereko’s Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill 2022.
The law was introduced in Parliament by the outgoing MP of Kampala Central, Muhammad Nsereko, criminalizes spreading malicious or hate speech online, and carries strict penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, fines, and bans on holding public office.
Luttamaguzi said he opposed the bill when it was tabled because he thought it was unnecessary. But today, he sees its importance.
His reflection comes after journalist-turned-blogger Kwezi Robinson of Kewaza Media YouTube channel published a video claiming that Luttamaguzi secretly met Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), to discuss how to harmonize the Nakaseke South elections which he lost to NRM’s Charles Nsereko Basajjassubi.
According to Luttamaguzi, Kwezi claimed that Salim Sale had advised him (Lutamaguzi) to either pursue legal channels or negotiate with Nsereko and promised millions of shillings as compensation for campaign expenses.
Luttamaguzi rejected the claims as false and state-sponsored propaganda, saying he has never met the Museveni brother. He added that at the time Kwezi claims the meeting happened, he was out of the country on an official parliamentary trip to Namibia.
He challenged Kwezi to produce evidence, saying Salim Saleh is a high-profile official and meeting him requires security checks, registration and official procedures. “I challenge Kwezi to show where I signed to meet the General,” he said.
Luttamaguzi revealed that he had already instructed his lawyer, Erias Nalukoola, to file a civil defamation case against Kwezi Robinson, because online lies have consequences and the law will take its course. That being taken to Couty will give Kwezi Robinson an opportunity and formal platform to corroborate and prove his claims.
Kwezi has since dared Luttamaguzi to proceed with his suit, insisting that he is a credible journalist who never publishes fake news. Kwezi has also vowed to use the Court process to challenge Luttamaguzi to prove the claims he made while being interviewed by CBS’ Dr. Kwefu to the effect that he is a foreigner and not a Ugandan. The veteran journalist and popular blogger says he is looking forward to defeating Luttamaguzi in Court and get awarded hundreds of millions of shillings in damages.
A defiant Kwezi believes that there is a plot by the likes of Luttamaguzi and others in the Kyagulanyi universe to destroy his reputation and make life hard for him because he resisted their politics of flattery, which is synonymous with things like Principal Tasobya (Wine is infallible and incapable of being wrong on anything).
Lutatamaguzi told Dr. Kwefu that he was among the MPs who opposed and challenged the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill when Nsereko tabled it, but Nsereko warned him that he would one day become a victim of computer misuse, and it would then be the moment for him to understand the usefulness of the law, which caused many in the Kyagulanyi universe to demonize him. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
