Deputy Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), Dr. Kyalimpa Paul, has initiated legal proceedings against State Minister of Investment, Hon. Evelyn Anite, for alleged defamatory statements made against him.
The statements in question were posted on Minister Anite’s X handle (@HonAniteEvelyn) on June 14, 2024, where she accused officials of the Uganda Investment Authority of corruption and misappropriation of funds.
According to the legal notice sent by Dr. Kyalimpa’s attorneys, Minister Anite’s post claimed that UIA officials had approved payments of UGX 500 million in honoraria to themselves out of a loan intended for Namanve infrastructure development.
The publication included a list of staff members implicated in the allegations, prominently featuring Dr. Kyalimpa’s name.
Minister Anite tagged @newvisionwire, the official X handle of New Vision, Mukiza Robert, the Director General of the UIA, and @DailyMonitor, the official X handle of Daily Monitor, ensuring wide circulation of the claims.
The legal notice contends that the statements were false, malicious, and defamatory, designed to portray Dr. Kyalimpa as immoral, unethical, untrustworthy, and corrupt.
It argues that these assertions were calculated to benefit Minister Anite politically while causing substantial damage to Dr. Kyalimpa’s reputation as a dedicated Christian, a respected professional, and a family man.
Dr. Kyalimpa’s attorneys emphasize that the allegations were made without any lawful justification and have caused significant harm to his personal and professional standing.
The letter serves as a formal notification to Minister Anite, highlighting the defamatory nature of the statements and the serious implications they carry.
The letter was officially received by the office of the State Minister.
As of now, it remains unclear what actions Minister Anite will take in response to the legal notice.
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the Uganda Investment Authority’s top officials and the State Minister, who has been actively campaigning against corruption within the authority.
Dr. Kyalimpa’s legal action underscores the potential legal repercussions for public officials and figures who make unsubstantiated allegations against their colleagues.
It also highlights the broader issue of accountability and the standards to which public officials must adhere when making public accusations.