Two concerned Catholics including Albert Kakooza and Robert Mujuzi have filed an application in the High Court seeking permission to sue Airtel jointly or on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church over claims of defamation.
Their concern arises from a message Airtel commissioned on its billboard that lived from 1st Nov 2010 to 10th Feb 2011.
The message said “Airtel, clearer than the Lubaga bell” The billboard was strategically placed at Lubaga cathedral in Kampala Archdiocese.
They say that in reality, the said cathedral has 2 famous bell towers referred to as Lubaga bells.
The duo contends that the message was offensive to the Catholic Church since such bells hold a sacred honour and inimitable place in religious ceremonies.
They also say they are symbols of paradise, voices of God and are a constant reminder of Catholics about the hour of Church services.
They further contend that the message meant that the staff, owners and managers of Airtel were spiritually symbolically superior to the Lubaga Cathedral and the Church bells.
They claim that Airtel is liable to pay compensatory and punitive damages for violation of the Religious rights of the Catholic Church.
In the intended suit, the duo wants to get court injunction restraining Airtel from any forms of religious bashing and iconoclasm.
By Isaac Senabulya