Phiona Nabitengero, known as FifiDa Queen, is celebrating a legal victory that has brought a smile to her face as she secures compensation from Vision Group and receives an official apology from them, following a High Court ruling in Kampala.
The legal dispute stemmed from an incident in September 2022 when the Bukedde Newspaper, a publication under Vision Group, printed and published a front-page headline in bold and full color that read, “Bakutte FifiDa Queen kuby’okubba,” accompanied by her photograph.
Additionally, on Page 5, they featured an extensive article titled “Ebya Sipapa bikwasizza Fifi,” again in bold and full color.
FifiDa Queen emphatically asserted that these articles were not only false but also devoid of basis and detrimental to her reputation. She is widely recognized as a distinguished journalist, a successful businesswoman, a content mother in a happy marriage, a philanthropist, and a highly esteemed figure in society.
In response to these damaging allegations, FifiDa Queen, through her legal representation at Mwesigwa Rukutana & Company Advocates, issued a notice of intention to sue her former employers, New Vision Printing & Publishing Company, in September.
She demanded an apology on the front page, UGX 1,000,000,000 (One Billion Uganda Shillings) as compensation for the harm done to her reputation, and UGX 50,000,000 (Fifty Million Uganda Shillings) as legal fees incurred within a three-day timeframe.
Despite this demand, Vision Group chose to engage in a legal battle. The protracted dispute continued until October 24 when His Lordship Justice Musa Sekaana presided over the case and convinced both parties to seek an amicable resolution.
In his judgment, His Lordship Justice Sekaana ordered the defendant, Bukedde Newspaper, to publish a formal apology within seven days and pay FifiDa Queen a compensation of 25 million Ugandan Shillings as damages.
This legal victory marks a significant milestone for FifiDa Queen, as she not only reclaims her reputation but also receives the financial restitution she sought.
