Ndejje University is on the spot over the contested academic papers Ruhinda South constituency legislator Donozio Kahonda is reported to have obtained from there.
Kahonda, a retired Captain with the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) has been dragged to Luwero Magistrate’s court by a ‘concerned citizen’ on claims that the respondent has never obtained a degree from the said university.
Through Serwadda and Company Advocates, Mr. Godfrey Kiweewa dragged Kahonda to court saying that the retired army officer has never attained a degree in counselling as he stated.
It is alleged that Kahonda used the said degree to obtain a ‘professional allowance’ in the army where he worked in the counselling department. The plaintiff further alleges that Kahonda hasn’t referred or used the contested degree anywhere as part of his academic qualifications. Ndejje University will also have to give testimony as to whether indeed Kahonda attained the said degree.
On his part, Kahonda objected to the allegations and asked court to dismiss the case. However, court granted him a cash bond of Shs500, 000 and asked him to return next week for hearing of the case.
Contacted, Kahonda told EagleOnline that it was a witch hunt ‘like another ongoing case’ brought against him by his former employer, the army.
“You cannot try a case which is ongoing in another court (Jinja); it is unfair and it is all intended to curtail me from performing my duties,” Kahonda told this news Website on phone.
Meanwhile, the embattled MP has been slapped with additional charges of forgery and impersonation. This followed the prosecution adducing new evidence, which was presented in a Jinja court today.
And, appearing before court, the new charges were read to Mr. Kahonda, after which court set the date for the hearing.
Former Ruhinda MP Kahinda Otafiire.
Kahonda first came to the limelight after defeating long-serving Ruhinda MP Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries last year.
At the time Capt.(rtd) Kahonda was in jail on the first forgery and impersonation charges, but still managed a win against Maj. Gen. Otafiire, who is also the Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister.
If, he was imprisoned and then allowed to contest there is something wrong with Ugandan Constitution. Otherwise, how can a convictated person be allowed to hold a public office in such a short time. This is why the present constitutions needs an overhaul because it does not meet required standards for leadership.
The confusion is just in your head. There is a big difference between being accused, imprisoned or getting convicted. Kahonda has never been convicted in any court.
My dear Richard, let me be quick to put the matter right for you two, since it appears to have led to confusion. The article referred to gave impression as if the individual under decision had been convicted of the wrong doing. In case, if he was not convicted of any wrong doing then it would be a miscarriage of justice to deny him a chance to serve his country. Therefore, I submit for having not deliberately intended to mislead anyone to believe that it would be illegal for him to serve his country. All depending on hard evidence to prove it, rather than hearsay