KIWANUKA KITUUKA WILL ENSURE THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL CONVOY CEASES TO BE AN INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC

Parents sue government for son killed in Museveni convoy

By JULIET KIGONGO

Posted  Sunday, July 6  2014 at  01:00

In Summary

The petitioners contend that on June 1, 2012, Mr Mwebaze was driving a Toyota car UAL 858B with his young sister, Ms Rinah Kabarungi to attend centenary celebrations of Mbarara High School in Mbarara where president Museveni was the chief guest.

Kampala -Parents of a Makerere University student who died in a motor accident involving President Museveni’s convoy have petitioned court for compensation.

The deceased’s parents, Mr Charles Berwanaho and Ms Mary Kalisa Berwanaho, filed the suit in the High Court Civil Division against the Attorney General seeking compensation of 322,250 British pounds (about Shs1.4 billion) for the death of their son, Mr Bernadette Mwebaze, 22, a student of Makerere University.

The case
The petitioners contend that on June 1, 2012, Mr Mwebaze was driving a Toyota car UAL 858B with his young sister, Ms Rinah Kabarungi to attend centenary celebrations of Mbarara High School in Mbarara where president Museveni was the chief guest.

At Kayanja, along Mbarara Masaka Highway, at around 8:30am, the lead car of the President’s convoy, while clearing the way, blocked the deceased’s car, which caused it to swerve off the road in an attempt to avoid knocking the president’s lead car.

The deceased lost control of the car and overturned several times.
The deceased sustained fatal wounds and was taken to Mayanja Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ms Kabarungi, 17, (third petitioner) is said to be permanently confined in a wheelchair and supported on clutches following the accident.

The parents accuse the convoy drivers of not sounding the siren on time to alert the victims about the incoming presidential convoy, thereby causing Mr Mwebaze’s death. Mr Museveni was not in the said convoy.

The court’s Deputy Registrar, Ms Helena Mary Kyiza, has given the Attorney General 15 days to file his defence and thereafter the case will be fixed for hearing.

jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com