Government blocks radios from live broadcasting

Kampala, 31st/Dec/2010; The Broadcasting Council of Uganda has blocked privately owned radio stations from broadcasting live a conference organized by Buganda Kingdom (Ttabamiruka).

Ttabamiruka is an annual conference organized by Buganda kingdom to review and discuss the social, cultural, economic and developmental issues of the Kingdom. The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Poverty and Development’.

The conference held on 17th/Dec/2010, at the Wampewo avenue based Hotel Africana, a suburb of Kampala, was supposed to be broadcasted live by different radio stations including Buganda Kingdom owned radio the Central Broadcasting Services (CBS FM), but were all stopped by the Broadcasting Council (BC).

By the time a directive was made by the Broadcasting Council, CBS FM was already relaying the debates live.

A CBS FM staff who preferred anonymity said the radio received a telephone call from the Broadcasting council suspending the live broadcast- equating it to an open air talk show locally known as ‘Ebimeeza’ which were banned in September 2009.

“We only broadcasted live the speech of the King His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II” a staff said. The radio was accused of not consulting the Broadcasting council on issues to be discussed and aired during the conference.

Buganda Kingdom is one of the largest ethnic groups in Uganda based in the central region, with most of its people languishing in poverty.

The national poverty statistics according to the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics figures indicate that more than 38% of the total population in Uganda lives below poverty line.

The chairman of the Broadcasting Council Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi told Human Rights Network for Journalists –Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that the conference was not much different from the banned Ebimeeza which were broadcasted from the bars.

“We were not informed as a regulatory body about the topics to be discussed and the guests. So what they were doing was illegal because we banned Ebimeeza in 2009. We were even taken to court over our action”. Mutabazi said.

He explained that there is a license requirement that all radio stations planning to have live programmes broadcasting should own pre-listening gadgets but most radio stations have still failed to comply.

“We can tolerate live soccer matches or Independence commemorations but not debates” Eng. Mutabazi stressed.

In September2009, the council arbitrary closed down five privately owned radio stations including 88.8 and 89.2 CBS FM, Ssuubi FM, Radio Sapientia and Radio Two (Akkaboozi) and consequently banned open air radio talk shows.

HRNJ-Uganda feels that the Broadcasting council is over stepping its powers when it begins to regulate people’s thoughts, conscience and information. These actions are illegal because they limit space under which citizens exercise their fundamental freedoms and liberties stipulated under Art. 29 of the constitution of the Republic of Uganda

Art. 29(a) states that, “Every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and the media”

“Ugandans must be free to discuss any issues that touch their lives and their views must be heard by those in authority as a way of holding them accountable, especially during this campaign period. The radio is a primary source of information to Ugandans which must operate independently without interference from the government”. Said the HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman, Robert Ssempala

In light of this, HRNJ-Uganda calls on the judiciary to speed-up the hearing of a case challenging the Broadcasting council’s power over people’s right to freedom of expression which was filed early 2010.

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Journalist beaten up at a campaigning rally

Mpigi, 20th/12/2010; Supporters of Mawokota North aspiring Member of Parliament Peter Claver Mutuluza have roughed-up and beaten a journalist Drake Kizito at a campaigning rally.

Kizito, a journalist with Ink Media Agency had gone to cover Mutuluza’s rally on 17th/12/2010 at Jjeza parish, Muduuma sub-county, Mawokota north in Mpigi district.

The Mawokota North seat has attracted five candidates including Ameria Kyambadde a former president Museveni’s private secretary from the ruling party (National Resistance Movement), Peter Claver Mutuluza as an independent, Tebusweke Mayinja from Democratic Party, Buwembo Shafik from Forum for Democratic Change and Kaweesa Ahmed of the Justice Forum ticket.

Mutuluza is an incumbent Member of Parliament for Mawokota North who won the seat in 2006 on the National Resistance Movement ticket.

An eye witness told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that the rally had registered fewer people and Mutuluza was accusing police for blocking his supporters.

Drake Kizito said “he traded accusations before his supporters when he saw him joining his rally with a camera. “He accused me of spying for Ameria Kyambadde” His supporters rounded me up immediately and started beating me until police came for my rescue” Kizito said got injuries on his two legs.

When HRNJ-Uganda contacted Hon. Mutuluza he did not own up nor deny the matter.

“This is the first case of assault at the campaigning rally to be recorded by HRNJ-Uganda since the campaigns for members of parliament started on 16th/December/2010. “It indicates that campaigns for members of parliament are likely to be more violent than presidential and local government campaigns” HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.

By the time this alert was written nobody had been summoned for questioning nor arrested despite that Kizito reported the matter and recorded statement at Jjeza police post.

HRNJ-Uganda demands that Hon. Mutuluza be arrested for inciting violence and assaulting a journalist.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road Mengo-Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box.71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline; 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

HRNJ-Uganda Ten-Month Case Report: More than 50 journalists exposed to violence between January and October 2010.

Kampala, 14th/12/2010; Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has launched a campaign to mitigate the deteriorating security of journalists in the lead up to, during and after February 2010 general elections.

The campaign offers complaint handling mechanism (a toll free helpline 0800144155 for victim journalists), established press freedom monitors and standby lawyers based in all regions, will hold meetings with different stakeholders including security agencies, political parties and government officials among others.

The campaign comes at a time when a “Ten-Month Case Report” released by HRNJ-Uganda indicated that more than 50 journalists were subjected to different forms of violence.

The report reveals that radio workers are at a higher risk compared to their counterparts in print, with 17 cases followed by reporters. Others were photojournalists who had 15 cases, television workers with 4 cases and one journalist working for online publication. “The number of victims this year is very outrageous. It is doubling the cases recorded in 2009 and it’s a worrying trend for the media in Uganda”. HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.

The period under review has witnessed threats reaching their peak with the murder, by mob violence of two journalists RIP Paul Kiggundu and Dickson Ssentongo, both working for Christian radio stations namely; Radio Top and Radio Prime respectively.

This occurred at a time when the media was just recovering from the unprecedented crackdown by state in 2009 following widespread riots, ending in the closure of five radio stations. All these radios are now back on air but to a new order where media has been compelled by fear of antagonizing the State to institute a high level of self censorship that has to a large measure impacted on quality of content and devalued the essence of the media as a public sphere.

Such an atmosphere has created the worst environment for the media in the history of Uganda. Cases witnessed in the period under review ranged from; attacks and threats with 14 cases, illegal arrest and detention with 8, torture/inhuman treatment with 7, judicial sanctions with 7, police harassment with 5, and state interference with 1.

The report noted State sanctions which have changed from direct intervention to subtle actions and threats from agents of the State, particularly the regulatory Broadcasting Council, and in some cases, by Resident District Commissioners, who have turned themselves into unappointed media monitors.

The combination of threats, overt and covert actions made journalism a less enviable profession and a risky one too. As if this is not enough, the State maintained its resolve to put more controls on the media through a Bill now before Parliament to amend the media laws and introduce more strict measures and to provide for more offences against journalists and media.

The report ranked police with the highest number of cases committed against journalists with 16 cases. This is the third time that police is ranked in the same position by subsequent reports.

The public which is supposed to be the source of protection of the media ranked second with 13 cases committed against journalists. Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) with 4 cases, paramilitary groups with 3 cases, state with 2 cases, Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) with 2 cases, regulators with 1 and others with 6 cases.

“These developments must be looked at within the broader context of the forthcoming general elections. A media system characterized by fear of the State, job loss, personal security and harassment by civilians cannot provide the space for critical examination of issues that are at the heart of the voters during this electoral period” veteran journalist John Baptist Wasswa said.

The report has however noted major victories in Courts with the decriminalization of the offence of sedition. The ruling deprived the State of one of the most notorious instruments it used against media and consolidated the confidence of media in the Courts.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda has observed that the state of media freedom and practice in Uganda is of continuing and in some cases escalating threats to media personnel; increased fear by media owners, managers and practitioners especially in the electronic media, following the post-September riots crackdown. This fear has permeated all sections of the media leading to a dumping down of important programs that touch on issues of governance and democracy. Other threats that have characterized this year are State interference in media matters, judicial sanctions, harassment by the Police in many parts of the country; the sophistication of police interventions in media work, following the creation of specialized desks on Media Offences. This desk has since its creation not focused on how to enable public enjoyment of media freedoms but on imagining potential offences the media might commit.

Other concerns over the year ending are increased attacks on individual journalists, threats of a new regime of laws under the proposed amendment to the Press and Journalists Statute of 1995, and hostile propaganda against the media by senior people in government and security organizations.

We therefore recommend that as follow;
(a) That media proprietors should facilitate their employees which will safe guard them from avoidable attacks.
(b) The government should stay the proposed Press and Journalists Amendment Bill because it has potential to make media difficult during this electoral period.
(c) Court should dismiss sedition charges against journalists in respect to the court judgment
(d) All media activists led by human rights organizations should draft a declaration for respect for freedom of the media and expression. The candidates, both at presidential and other levels should be called upon to sign up in support of this declaration.
(e) Media organizations should start a joint and massive campaign to sensitize the public against attacks to journalists.
(f) Parliament should enact the over shelved ‘Torture’ bill which will criminalize torture and hold errant officers responsible for their crimes.
(e) Media managers and Police need to develop a working framework especially during the election period to avoid conflict.
(f) Media activists should start working on a law that will operationalise the media freedoms stipulated in the Constitution. Despite the Bill of Rights being enshrined in the Constitution, many people, including officers of government, security officers, politicians and the general public do not fully understand their operationalisation. It is incumbent on media to start the process by drafting a private bill that will seek to spell out how these freedoms should be enjoyed.

To access a full index report log in www.hrnjuganda.org/indexreportuganda

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road Mengo-Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box.71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline; 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Visit our website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Bishop Strangles a photo journalist

Kampala, 07th/12/2010; The Anglican Bishop for Western Buganda Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Kefa Kamya Ssemakula has manhandled and strangled a photo journalist working with Kamunye news paper- a sister Luganda newspaper of the Red Pepper publication. This took place on 6th/Dec/2010, at about 3:00pm.

Brian Luwagga was photographing the Bishop at the Masaka High Court premises were the Bishop had been dragged by the Christian followers in the Diocese led by Mugabi John and Lubega Bowazi opposed to the way the Bishop’s successor Rev. Can. Makumbi Godfrey had been elected. They wanted court to nullify the election.

They however withdrew the case because it had been overtaken by events since the election had been rushed and finished before court could make a judgment. The petitioners are however intending to file another petition blocking Rev. Can. Makumbi Godfrey’s consecration.

Bishop Ssemakula grabbed Luwagga by the collar demanding to know who had given him the permission to take his photos.

“He grabbed me by the collar and pressed my neck hard asking for my permission to photography him. He was joined by the diocese spokesperson, Rev. Enock Muwanguzi. I told them that I was a journalist but would not listen. They demanded that I delete the photos, but I refused”. Narrated Luwagga.

Luwagga said he was rescued by other people opposed to the Bishop’s ways of work, “when they demanded to know what the matter was, the Bishop was scared away and ran to his waiting car and sped off. The scuffle lasted for about 20minutes.

The Diocesan spokesperson, Rev. Muwanguzi defended the Bishop. He told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that Luwagga did not introduce himself to the Bishop prior to taking the photos.

“The Bishop was angered by this man who kept on photographing him right from the court proceedings and followed him all the way to the courtyard. So he demanded to know who this person was. So it’s not true that he manhandled and strangled him”. Said Muwanguzi

“HRNJ-Uganda is dismayed by the clergymen’s actions against the journalist. We demand that the Arch Bishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Luke Orombi intervenes and prevails over Bishop Ssemakula and Rev. Muwanguzi. The religious leaders are supposed to be the mirrors of the society” There should be a meeting to reconcile these two key members of the society”. Said the HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator, Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala

For more information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road-Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.Box. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Journalist under police harassment

Kampala, 23rd/Nov/2010; A journalist working with Uganda Record, an online publication in Uganda is under police harassment over the July 11th Kampala bombs story.

Mr. Timothy Nyakahuma Kalyegira was summoned to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) on the 3rd/August/2010 over a story about the possible Kampala bombers in July 2010. He was grilled for hours at the Kiira road CID police station. He had his house searched, laptop confiscated and his cell phones taken away by the police.

More than 80 people died during and after the bombings at Kyadondo Rugby Club- Lugogo and the Ethiopian village located at Kabalagala, a Kampala Suburb.
On August 20th, 2010 Nakawa Court issued an injunction barring journalists from reporting details of Police investigations into the bomb blasts. This injunction was applied for by Police.

The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002 states that any person who establishes, runs or supports any institution for promoting terrorism, publishing and disseminating news or materials that promote terrorism is also liable to suffer death upon conviction.
Kalyegira was charged on 3rd/Aug/2010 with sedition at police before the constitutional court nullified the case. He has since perpetually been kept reporting at the police to extend his police bond.

On August 25th, 2010 the Constitutional Court declared the law on sedition null and void. The five Judges including Justice Leticia Kikonyogo, Justice Steven Kavuma, Justice George Egwau, Justice Constance Byamugisha and Justice Augustine Nshiime nullified sections 39 and 40 of the Penal Code, Cap. 120, which define and establish the law on sedition.

He has reported for more than 14 times, but no conclusive investigations have been made to clear him or prosecute him.

He first reported on 4th/Aug/2010, and continued to report as follows;

07/Aug/2010,
12th/Aug/2010,
18th/Aug/2010,
26th/Aug/2010,
02nd/Sept/2010,
07th/Sept/2010,
18th/Sept/2010,
20th/Sept/2010,
27th/Sept/2010,
04th/Oct/2010,
11th/Oct/2010,
19th/Oct/2010 and he continue to report and appear before Kiira Road CID boss Prudence Haguma.

“This is persecution at its best. Why would you keep someone perpetually in police without pronouncing yourself on his fate? Kalyegira gave his opinion which should not be used to persecute him unless the police had enough information to prosecute him.” HRNJ-Uganda Board chairman Robert Ssempala said.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda has given Uganda Police force a deadline of seven days to either withdraw the charges against Kalyegira or take him to court.

In the meantime, on 30th/11/2010 the state withdrew charges against 17 suspects who had been facing charges of terrorism, murder and attempted murder. They were released by the Nakawa court chief magistrate Deo Ssejjemba.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda
Kivebulaya Road Mengo –Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.Box: 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-414-272934
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Missing Radio Simba journalist released after 8 days.

Kampala, 13th/Nov/2010; A Radio Simba journalist Arafat Nzito who went missing 8 days ego has been released from detention after the intervention of the Human Rights Network for journalists-Uganda.

Nzito, 23, was kidnapped from Radio Simba on 4th/Nov/2010 by four plain-clothed men in a private registered Toyota double cabin at around 2:30pm.
His relatives, friends and workmates mounted a search at all police and security centers within and around Kampala in vain since his disappearance. The security and police authorities all denied knowledge of his wear-abouts.

This compelled HRNJ-Uganda to go to court over the matter and filed a Habeas corpus through their lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi on Thursday 12th/Nov, tasking the army commander, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) boss Brigadier James Mugira and the Attorney General Dr. Kiddhu Makubuya to produce the missing journalist.

The following day, Nzito secured his freedom. He was dumped at Kasasiro stage in Kamwokya, a suburb of Kampala Friday 12th/Nov/2010 in the afternoon.

“He called us at around 3:00 o’clock informing us that he was at Kamwokya where he had been dumped and that he was boarding a taxi to come to the radio. We stopped him and sent a station van which picked him and brought him to the station.” said a staff member at Radio Simba who preferred not to be named.

Sources say that Nzito was dumped by the same double cabin which kidnapped him from the radio.

Prior to his release, Nzito’s older sister Hadijah Nantambi and HRNJ-Uganda’s Ssebaggala received anonymous calls to the effect that, “Nzito has been released, find him at Simba”. Nzito was readily at Simba in about 20 minutes from then.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has since established that Nzito has been detained at the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) headquarters at Kololo in Kampala-Uganda’s capital city, under horrible conditions.

“He looked stressed, dirty and couldn’t talk much or even answer to most of the questions we put to him. He had visibly lost weight”. Said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes coordinator, Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala who met him at Radio Simba

“It is very sad that after all this incarceration, no charges were brought against him. This is violence and torture at its best. It’s not clear why Nzito was kidnapped and detained for over a week. We want the security to justify this gross abuse of the law.” Demands the HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road Mengo-Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box.71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline; 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Radio Simba journalist goes missing

Kampala, 09th/Nov/2010; A Radio Simba journalist, Arafat Nzito has gone missing and his whereabouts remain unknown since 3rd/Nov/2010.

Nzito, 23years, was picked by plain clothed men in a private registration Toyota double cabin on 3rd/Nov/2010 at around 2:00pm local time from Radio Simba.

He is a resident of Kitintale, in Nakawa division, in Kampala –Uganda’s capital city.

Radio Simba’s chief news editor, Emmanuel Okello told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda(HRNJ-Uganda) that Nzito’s disappearance followed him receiving numerous phone calls to go and see meet some people in the radio’s parking yard-about 30meters away.

So he left his work half done and went to meet those people but he never returned to complete filing his news story. He did not return the following day as well.

According to an eye witness who declined to be named, Nzito was whisked away by four men in a vehicle with tinted screens at around 2:30pm. He first talked to them before he sat in the back seat in between two men. He did not notice the car registration number.

Nzito joined Simba last year as an intern student, and upon completion of his internship, he was enrolled as a reporter but on probation for two months now.

He regularly reports news from the police and the opposition Forum for Democratic Change which is the leading opposition political party in Uganda.

“He did not return to office to complete the story, so I called his cell phone but was not picking up. He did not report the next day, so I called again to no response. When I called again in the afternoon, the phone had been switched off”. Said Radio Simba Chief News Editor Emmanuel Okello
Nzito’s sister, Hadijah Nantambi has told HRNJ-Uganda that she noticed his absence on 5th/Nov/2010 yet his cell phone was off.

“When his phone remained off all through the night, I reported the matter to police and searched at various police stations and the Rapid Response Unit (RRU)- a serious crime crack down unit, but could not find him. We are very scared for his life, we need help”. Said Nantambi

The commandant of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), James Mugira was surprised when HRNJ-Uganda contacted him over the matter.
“It’s news to me, but I am dispatching a team to investigate the younger man’s disappearance”. Mugira said.

“We are greatly concerned about such incidents; these threats are real at a time when politics is at its peak in Uganda ahead of the general elections early next year. Justice should prevail all the time, so Nzito’s captors should subject him to the courts of law if they suspect him of any crime”. Said HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman Robert Ssempala

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road Mengo-Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box.71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline; 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Court suspends Basajjabalaba assault case

Kampala/01st/Nov/2010; Buganda road court on 29th/Oct/2010 dismissed an assault case of a Kampala business don Hassan Basajjabalaba after the prosecution reported of unconcluded investigations into the matter by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Grade one magistrate Francis Kobusheshe noted that an assault case is not so complex to investigate and wondered what takes the Director of Public Prosecution so long to wind up with his investigations.

Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba the chairman Entrepreneurship league in ruling party National Resistance Movement –Organization (NRM-O) on 06th/09/2010 slapped and boxed and shattered Arthur Kintu’s lips at the NRM special organs conference at Namboole stadium in Kira Town Council, Wakiso district.

Kobusheshe dismissed the case and ruled that the DPP may re-instate the matter if he collects enough evidence against Basajjabalaba.

However, Basajjabalaba had never appeared in court to answer to the above charge despite a series of court summons issued to him by Kobusheshe requiring him to appear in court since 09th/September/2010.

Prosecutor Happiness Ayinebyona had earlier asked court to adjourn the case saying the file was still with the DPP Richard Butera but court overruled.

Basajjabalaba’s Lawyer Geoffrey Nangunya asked court to dismiss the case.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) calls upon the DPP to quickly re-instate the case in the interest of justice. “No matter what office Basajjabalaba holds in the ruling party but he should be punished for his wrong deeds. Perpetrators of violence against journalists must be punished to end impunity in the lead-up February 2011 general elections” Said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road Mengo-Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box.71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline; 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Voice of Kigezi radio staff instigate violence against New Vision journalist.

Kabale, 29th/Oct/2010; A New Vision reporter, Goodluck Musinguzi has his life threatened following a hate campaign perpetrated by Voice of Kigezi in its morning radio show programme.

The programme under the name ‘Ruhondeza’ meaning to wake-up somebody who is oversleeping in English was aired on 18th/Oct/2010 between 6am-10am modulated by Julius Balusha and Prosy Ainembabazi.

Musinguzi is the Newspaper’s correspondent in Kabale district in South Western part of Uganda.

Voice of Kigezi is a private radio station co-owned by the Chairman of the Ugandan Broadcasting Council, Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi.

The hate campaign was in retaliation to a news story written by Musinguzi in Orumuri- a weekly newspaper in a local dialect and later in the New Vision- a government owned weekly paper, to the effect that two Ugandans had been arrested and detained in Rwanda over unknown but potentially sensitive security matters.

Didas Ndamira an accountant with Voice of Kigezi and Simpson Mpirerwe where reportedly arrested on 19th/Sept/2010, and have since in detention.

Musinguzi told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that since the stories were ran, the managers at Voice of Kigezi convened a closed meeting over the matter because it involved its staff and decided to take action against him for having authored the said stories.

“The following day after their meeting, the radio’s morning show crew took it upon themselves to haul insults at me blaming me for running unfactual and malicious stories against their staff member” Said Musinguzi.

He however says that he only gave their profile in terms of work, involvement in politics and their family background, but he did not include reasons for their arrest and detention.

Musinguzi says that after the radio programme, he started receiving cell phone short messages threatening his live and equating him to a cockroach which needed to be wiped out of society.

One of the messages read, “You’re a big cockroach/enyenze that should be completely wiped out on the face of this earth”. The message was sent to me on 16th/Oct/2010.

Another one was, “You’re just like them ‘cockroaches’ u r a traitor to VOK family. Didas was human like u, be sympathetic to his family at trying moment. Stop peddling lies about the victims in Rwanda.” Both messages came on the same day.

However the radio management denies knowledge of the source of these threatening messages, although admit to having had a progaramme on their radio attacking Musingizi over the stories he wrote in the papers.

“We heard our presenters making these attack live on air against Musinguzi. We cautioned them after the programme. We are also planning to replace them before the 2011 general elections because this was not their first time to attack personalities while on air.” VOK radio manager told HRNJ-Uganda.

HRNJ-Uganda has learnt that the case was reported to Kabale police station and the victim has recorded a statement but nobody has been arrested or summoned for questioning.

However, the area police insist they summoned the presenters in question. “We summoned these suspects but they have never appeared before us.” Said the Officer in Charge of Kabale police station Obongo Deo. He however could not give details of when the summons was issued raising suspicion of the said summons.

HRNJ-Uganda has petitioned the Independent Media Council of Uganda to investigate the matter and take the necessary action. “Media freedoms come with the responsibility of professionalism. All practitioners must follow professional code of ethics during their work. We don’t want to see a situation where someone is killed as a result of media hate campaign. HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.

HRNJ-Uganda has had a lengthy discussion with the area police over the urgency of investigating the matter to establish the source of the text messages that threatened violence against Musinguzi. The Police have promised to avail the findings by Monday 1st/Nov/2010.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
Toll Free helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

HRNJ-Uganda Alert: Two CBS radio stations re-open without a license.

Kampala, 24th/10/20; Two Buganda Kingdom radio stations have been re-opened. The stations include Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) 88.8fm and 89.2fm both housed in Bulange which is the seat of the Buganda Kingdom. It is found in Mengo- a suburb of Kampala, the Capital city of Uganda CBS was switched off air on the 10th/Sept/2009 and had its operating license revoked by the Broadcasting Council.

Sources told HRNJ-Uganda that CBS fm Managing Director Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma was called early morning on Saturday 23th/10/2010 by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ministry and handed over to him the transmitter they had confiscated last September.

The hand over was witnessed by the ICT minister Aggrey Awori, the Broadcasting Council (BC) chairman Godfrey Mutabazi and officials from the Buganda government headed by Mr. Kaaya Kavuma.

However the stations have been re-opened without re-instating their operating licenses. Mutabazi confirmed to HRNJ-Uganda that the re-opened was influenced by the high political tempers in the country ahead of the 2011 general elections.

“The radio was re-opened on political grounds, but its re-opening is not legally binding.” Says the Broadcasting Council chairman Godfrey Mutabazi.

CBS Managing Director Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma has also confirmed this new finding. “The meeting with the ICT ministry cleared the re-opening, but referred us to the Broadcasting Council over our license which was revoked. So we are engaging the broadcasting council from today”.

Mutabazi said the meeting between CBS management and his Broadcasting council would convene soon to agree on the license terms and conditions in a free and fair process to all.

Government had set harsh conditions for the re-opening, including sacking of some employees, transferring the radio from Bulange to an outside place, stopping calling the station the Kabaka’s radio and desists from all anti-government statements, among others.

However the ICT minister Aggrey Awori told CBS officials during a weekend meeting that it was up to the CBS management to sack and retain workers basing on their ability to work professionally.

CBS radio stations are among the five privately owned stations closed on September 10th and 11th 2009 when people loyal to the Kabaka (King), Buganda's monarch, rioted in Kampala over the government's decision to restrict the Kabaka from touring Kayunga district (Bugerere county)one of the 18 counties that make up Buganda kingdom.

The other radios closed included; Radio Two locally known as ‘Akaboozi’, Catholic Church based Radio Sapientia and Ssuubi FM all of which were re-opened without any charges preferred against them despite government’ accusations of inciting violence flouting broadcasting regulations.

However CBS staff went to court protesting against wrongful closure of their radio and rendering them unemployed.

Government also went to the same court accusing CBS of causing the death 27 people during the riots but the counter case was thrown out by court. The hearing of CBS staff case is on-going.

Kavuma told HRNJ-Uganda that the two radios since Saturday 23rd/10/2010 evening re-opened with music and later on Sunday 24th/10/2011 with news as a way of testing the equipments. “The equipments were wrongly removed from the transmitter section. We cannot reinstate all the programmes straight away before ascertaining the capacity of our machines” Kavuma said. Most programmes are likely to resume in a week time from now.

HRNJ-Uganda welcomes the re-opening of the two radios but condemn the political interference in the work of regulatory bodies especially the Broadcasting Council. We call on all Ugandans and the government to embrace the self regulation mechanism. “The media to be meaningful to the people of Uganda and to be able to correct its mistakes must be independent from the state” said HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman Robert Ssempala.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
Toll Free helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Police arrest and release journalist’s attackers

Masaka, 13th/Oct/2010; Police in Masaka has arrested two people in connection to assault of Top Radio journalist Bwekumbule Frank.

Bwekumbule, 26, was on Sunday 10th/10/2010 at around 5:00pm local time assaulted at the news scene while covering a demolition of house which belonged to one Bakatadde. The house was destroyed by his family members of one Jjumba Ssegwanyi.

They accused him of disrespecting their ageing father Jjumba Ssegwanyi by not greeting him and insulting him whenever he meets him. The two have been occupying the same piece of land.

Bwekumbule was accused of interfering with family matters.

The arrested include Jjumba Ssegwanyi in his 70s and Lukwago Issa in his 50s. They were arrested on 12th/Oct/2010 from their residence at Butaya village, Kabonera Sub County, Masaka district in Southern region.

Masaka district police commander Titus Byaruhanga told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that the suspects were arrested at 12pm and released on bond at 2pm after recording a statement.

“We are investigating the truth of the matter because the case lacks evidence. The body parts claimed attacked had an old scar and was not swollen” Byaruhanga said.

Sources at Masaka Police station told HRNJ-Uganda that Bwekumbule and the two suspects were locked inside a private room on 12th/Oct/2010 to discuss possible ways of settling the case before it’s taken to court.

Bwekumbule confirmed to HRNJ-Uganda having met suspects at Masaka police station but did not submit to their requests. “They were pushing me to accept payment. I insisted that the case was beyond my control and being handled by journalists’ protection body” Bwekumbule said. Until he gets a response from Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda he cannot accept such offers.

“Although we live on the same village with the suspects but I am mindful of increasing violence against journalists in Uganda particularly Southern region” Bwekumbule said.

The suspects are supposed to report back to Masaka police on 19th/Oct/2010.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda warns the police in Masaka against assisting suspects to escape the law. “Police must exercise its independent and avoid compromising its constitutional obligation. “The economic status of somebody should not be a basis to determine who to face the law or not” HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.

HRNJ-Uganda demand that police should quickly conclude its investigation and take the culprits to court failure a private prosecution case will considered.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
Toll Free helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Reporter beaten up, survives being lynched

Masaka, 11th/10/2010; A reporter with Masaka-based Top Radio Bwekumbule Frank has survived being lynched by a mob as he was covering the demolition of a house.

Bwekumbule, 26, a resident of Kanabukulira Kabonera Subcounty, Masaka district was on Sunday 10th/10/2010 at 5:00pm local time tipped off by one radio listener about the demolition incident which was taking place at Butaya village, Kabonera Sub–County in Masaka district.

Bwekumbule, who joined Top Radio in 2009, informed Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that he arrived at the news scene and found family members of one Jjumba Ssegwanyi destroying a house of their fellow family member only identified as Bakatadde.

They accused him of disrespecting their ageing father Jjumba Ssegwanyi by not greeting him and insulting him whenever he meets him. The two have been occupying the same piece of land.

HRNJ-Uganda has learnt that before the demolition, a meeting had been earlier convened and resolved to take action against Bakatadde as a way of evicting him from their father’s land.

“Upon reaching at the scene, I found people who surely knew me better including my former primary school head teacher Lukwago Issa. They were able to identify me. They immediately pounced on me and started beating me up accusing me of interfering with family matters” Narrates Bwekumbule.

He adds that, “After that, they pushed me into a ditch nearby before pulling me out and dragging me into one of their cars claiming they were taking me to police. At this moment my former head teacher tried to strangle me. He was very furious.”

Bwekumbule was saved by the locals who were attracted by the noise of the scuffle which lasted close to an hour.

“I sustained injuries on my left leg and severe chest pain as a result of the beating. But I thank so much the locals who rescued me before I was killed like my former workmate Paul Kiggundu who met his death at the hands of the commercial motorcyclists in almost a similar way,” Bwekumbule painfully says forcing a smile on his face.

Journalists operating in central and southern regions are at greater risk after two journalists namely: Paul Kiggundu and Dickson Ssentongo were killed in course of their work and high number of cases committed against journalists in the month of September 2010.

He reported a case of assaulted and malicious damage to his cell phone to Kirimya police. However no arrests had been made by the time of this report.

“There is an escalation of mob justice against journalists in this particular part of the country. So Human Rights Network for Journalists challenges the leadership in the country to take this as a very serious matter. We believe that this was total abuse of the law, and so the police must arrest and prosecute all the individuals involved without fear or favor with utmost urgency,” Demands HRNJ-Uganda’s Board chairman Robert Ssempala.

We must bear pressure on the police this time round. So HRNJ-Uganda is giving the police up to this Friday 15th/Oct/2010 to have arrested all the culprits or else we take an action in protest.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
Toll Free helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

HRNJ-Uganda Report: Shrinking space for freedom of expression and media freedom ahead of 2011 general elections.

Kampala, 07th/Sept?2010; The Media in Uganda is Under Attack: Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) is concern about the declining safety and security environment for journalists in Uganda, and the growing overall threat to freedom of expression in the country.

With the increased reports of killing, beating, arrests, assaults, and threats to journalists while on duty by either the state authorities or public, the space under which the media exercises its fundamental rights and freedoms is increasingly being narrowed. Journalists are messengers. And to infringe on their freedom to operate, is to violate the very principle of freedom of expression as stated in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and the Declaration of Human Rights and other international declarations, to which Uganda is a signatory.

We call upon the government of Uganda to safeguard, protect, uphold and ensure that such fundamental rights and freedoms are fully enjoyed, by protecting the agents of this freedom, the media.

We are seeing a dangerous trend which is a threat to the journalism profession.
Growing impunity

In the first six months of this year, 2010, over 30 journalists reported harassment or suffered some kind of abuse at the hand of state organs or media targeting mobs.

The chairman of the Broadcasting Council, Eng Godfrey Mutabazi, arbitrarily closed down five radio stations namely; Central Broadcasting Services (88.8fm and 89.2), Ssuubi fm, Radio Two and radio Sapientia and suspending journalists, in the events of last year’s September 10 protests.

Three stations have since been re-opened; however, none of the radios have been taken to court to justify their closure or re-opening. Out of 18 journalists who were suspended on orders of the Broadcasting Council (BC), only 8 have been reinstated secretly, while the rest continue to suffer BC wrath. However, they have never been charged in court for any wrong doing. However, the one journalist Kalundi Sserumaga, who sought court intervention over his suspension, his case has not been heard.

Eng Mutabazi has also directed a private owned radio Voice of Lango to suspend two presenters (Akena Patrick Ronex and Joe Orech) for hosting Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Dr. Olara Otunnu on 12th/April/2010.

Eng. Mutabazi has therefore caused the regulatory body to lose its moral authority of overseeing and promoting the media interests and the IGG should investigate and intervene in his case.

Attacks occurring in the last few months have been particularly disturbing. Paul Kiggundu, a journalist working with Top Radio was killed by a mob in Rakai while on duty. Another journalist Dickson Ssentongo in Mukono met his death on his way home from work. He was working with Seventh Day Adventist church based radio Prime.

Also, a female colleague, Wilbroad Kasujja, a news anchor with Buwama Community Radio, was raped before she was killed. There are many more examples and we are saying; this must stop.

According to research conducted by HRNJ-Uganda, the police and security forces are also implicated in violations to freedom of expression, and have been accused of abusing journalists directly. In the first half of 2010, the police were connected to 12 cases of abuse committed against journalists.

HRNJ-Uganda’s mid-year report also states seven cases where individual members of the public have assaulted journalists; three cases were reported against Para-military groups, two against the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Force (UPDF), 2 cases against the State and one against Regulatory bodies.

A handful of trials

A few people are facing trials over some of these crimes. A policeman Sgt. Mohamed Mundu was charged with assault and malicious damage to property at Buganda road chief magistrate court. He assaulted Yusuf Muziransa, a Daily Monitor photojournalist and damaged his camera. Buganda road court has issued another set of summons against Basajjabalaba Hassan after assaulting Arthur Kintu, a New Vision photojournalist. Also, six people were arrested for the death of Top Radio journalist Paul Kiggundu and charged with murder at Kalisizo magistrate in Rakai district. While these arrests are step in the right direction, they do not go far enough to address the overall state of impunity regarding the assault of journalists in Uganda.

The Sedition law was scrapped by our courts and removed from the law books – this has been a victory for the media fraternity in Uganda. However, sedition still tops the list of charges used against journalists in Uganda, with 8 journalists currently charged. Also, 7 journalists are faced with charges of criminal defamation, five have been charged for promoting sectarianism, there are 3 cases for publishing false news, 2 each for libel, forgery and uttering false documents and one journalist has been charged with treason.

International appeal

In September 2010, thirty-one IFEX members and global partners wrote to the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni demanding retraction of the proposed amendment to Press and Journalists Act. No action has been taken, yet.

In another letter the same month, IFEX members and four other organizations called on the government to withdraw the proposed amendment and revise other existing laws related to free expression. The proposed amendment to the Press and Journalist Act is due to be presented to the Parliament of Uganda in the near future.

If passed, the law would restrict freedom of expression in Uganda and impede the ability of journalists and media outlets to execute their duties because it imposes unnecessarily registration and licensing requirements on the media.

We all need freedom of expression

The right to freedom of the press and access to information in the Constitution is an important recognition of the importance of the free media and freedom of expression in a democracy. It is only a free media that can scrutinize public affairs, encourage a robust public debate, and expose corruption and other forms of malfeasance. The proposed Bill puts these functions on the line.

We call upon the government and the public to remember that it is the free media that would protect them from the violators of human rights through exposing them, and an attack on them, or anything that restricts the environment in which they operate, is a not only to shoot the messenger but also, denies society the freedom of information.

Reports by human rights organizations including Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists, among others, show that there is a worrying decline in press freedom in Uganda over the past five years, accompanied by a rise in self-censorship and attacks on journalists.

Looking ahead

The killing, assault, beating, harassment, and threats to journalists threaten the safety and security of the media practitioners in the run up to, during and after the 2011 general elections.

The government and public therefore, should be at the forefront of protecting and promoting the essential human rights of freedom of expression by ensuring journalists are able to freely practice their profession and document history. It is only a free media that can scrutinize public affairs, encourage a robust public debate, and expose corruption.

We therefore recommend that;

Police and other security agencies guarantee to the world that journalists and media houses will operate freely towards, during and after 2011 general election.

The coordinator of security agencies and inspector general of police should punish all errant officers who have harassed and attacked journalists, and release reports of all cases that have been investigated by police.

HRNJ-Uganda calls upon the government to allow the media to operate freely without interference and end physical attacks and intimidation, and to punish individual perpetrators of violence against the media.

We also demand that the Broadcasting Council Chairman Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi resigns in the interest of the freedom of expression and media freedom ahead of the general elections in Uganda

We call upon the office of Inspector General of Government to investigate and punish him.

That Parliament should quickly pass the ‘Torture bill’ which has been shelved for many years as a way of ending impunity to individual perpetrators of violence against journalists and other citizens.

That the public appreciate the role of the media and act as journalists’ source of protection

And lastly, Parliament should release the police report arising out of the Commission of inquiry on police brutality which was headed by Hon. Peter Nyombi to facilitate the long-awaited amendment process of Uganda police act and the penal code.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
Toll Free helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org / humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Journalists demonstrate, demand for gov’t action.

Rakai, 06th/Sept/2010; Ugandan Journalists have conducted a peaceful demonstration to mourn the death of their colleagues Dickson Ssentongo and Paul Kiggundu who were beaten to death last month.

The demonstration took place in Kyotera town, Rakai district in the Southern Uganda region, on 1st/Oct/2010.

It was followed by a memorial service at Staring hall in Kyotera. The prayers were attended by different religious leaders from all denominations.

The Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HNRJ-Uganda) expressed great concern over the insufficient nature of investigating the case by the police.

“It’s glaringly clear that the police may not successfully prosecute this case because HRNJ-Uganda has learnt from reliable sources that police lacks sufficient evidence on file to prosecute this case. So these people are likely to be acquitted at the end of the day despite having commited murder in broad day light”, Said the HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator, Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala, who led the HRNJ-Uganda team to Rakai.

He added that, “It’s upon this background that we challenge the police and all other investigative bodies to be as honest and transparent as possible in order to bring the killers to book”.

Meanwhile Southern Buganda media Association, an association of journalists within the area, is advocating for the improvement of journalists’ working environment because they play a major informative role in society.
“The environment both at work and in the field does not favor and promote practicing of good journalism. We call on both the government and our employers to put in place minimum standards that can facilitate the ‘forth estate of government to work better’.” Said Pascal Mwiruka on behalf of the members

The religious leaders who attended the functions included the Bishop of Masaka diocese Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa who was represented by Fr. Joseph Kasangaki (social communication Masaka diocese), Rev. Eriisa Kirumira Arch-deacon Kakoma rep. Bishop of West Buganda diocese Rt. Rev. Samuel Kefa Kamya Ssemakula and Shielk Ismail among others.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
Toll Free helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Court dismisses journalist case

Kampala, 5th/October/2010; Court has dismissed sedition charges against Radio One former presenter Robert Kalundi Sserumaga in light with the constitutional court ruling.

On the 25th/08/2010, the Constitutional Court nullified sections 39 and 40 of the penal code act, which create sedition charges. A panel of five Judges ruled that these sections of the penal code act are unconstitutional and inconsistence with Article 29 (1) of the constitution which guarantees freedom of speech.

Sserumaga was kidnapped and put in a car boot by security operatives on 11 September 2009 after attending a TV show (Kibazo Friday) on Kampala based private television Wavah Broadcasting Services (WBS TV). He was then tortured and kept incommunicado for more than eight hours. Sserumaga was later dumped at Central Police station in Kampala where he was kept for three days before being charged with several counts of sedition.

The state accused Sserumaga for making statements that disaffected the person of the president.

He was among the eighteen journalists who lost their jobs under duress during the September riots.

While appearing before Grade One magistrate at Buganda Road Court, Mathias Tumwijukye, the defense lawyer David Mpanga said it was unlawful for court to continue trying the journalist under the law which was scrapped off from Ugandan law books.


Mpanga asked court also to discharge Sserumaga’s sureties namely; Lubaga North MP Betty Kamya, Rubaga South MP Susan Nampijja and activists Richard Mugisha and Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.

Although the attorney general chambers objected to the dismissal, the magistrate Tumwijukye went ahead to dismiss the case.

As a rights protection body, Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) applauds court for its decision. “Such court decisions will help the media in Uganda to regain the lost glory as we approach 2011 general election” HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala applauded.

We however, demand that other eight journalists in court on sedition trial be set free.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
Toll Free helpline: 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Six charged over murdered journalist

Rakai, 30th/September/2010; Court in Rakai district has committed six murder suspects to the Masaka high court.

The Grade II Magistrate in Kalisizo court Charles Lutaaya committed Katumba Geoffrey, Lubega Joseph, Misango Peter, Kalveeri Mulokole, Jjunju Ibrahim, Buberwa Siraje and Kawooya Fred to the Masaka High Court.

The six are facing trial over the brutal murder of a Masaka-based Top Radio reporter Paul Kiggundu who was mobbed to death by commercial motorcyclists on 11th/09/2010 when he was covering the demolition of the garden and homestead of a suspected robber Kagayi Frank, who they accused of robbery and the murder of their colleague Ssengooba Eddy who had been their chairman at FINCA stage in Ntovu, Kasaali subcounty in Kyotera district in the Southern Part of Uganda.

They did not enter any plea due to the capital nature of the case which is only tried by the High Court. He remanded them to prison until 13th/Oct/2010.

“As the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda), we welcome the action of bringing the suspected murderers to book. But we feel that enough has not yet been done as more suspects are still at large. So the Police should move fast to make more arrests and in prosecuting the case”. HRNJ-Uganda board chairman Robert Ssempala said.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Two photojournalists beaten same night

Kampala, 26th/Sept/2010; Two photojournalists working with different media houses in Uganda were confronted and beaten up while on duty at two different entertainment spots in Kampala.

Stuart Yiga, 26, a reporter and photojournalist with the Red pepper publication was beaten up by a city lawyer, Geoffrey Kayanja and smashed his camera accusing him of taking his photos at graduation party held at Club T1, located along 2nd street, Industrial area in Kampala.

Yiga, a resident of Mutungo in Nakawa division, Kampala district, who has been working with the Red pepper since 2008, says he had been invited to the party by the organizers as a journalist. The took place on 22nd/Sept/2010.

Yiga says that when he took Kayanja’s photos while sharing romantic moments with a certain woman at the party, at around 1:00am, Kayanja charged at him bitterly demanding to know who had given him the permission to do so.

“When I took his photos while swapping saliva with a certain girl, Kayanja asked me why I had photographed him. Before I could explain, he got hold of my collar, slapped me twice and dragged me out of the club”, Yiga narrates.

He adds that, “once outside, he grabbed my camera, removed the lens and hit it hard on the floor and smashed the camera frame as well demanding for an explanation for taking his photos”.

Yiga says that he managed to run away for dear life, but returned moments later to look for his camera memory card at the scene where again he found Kayanja still waitng.

“He slapped me another time, confiscated the card and he bragged off that I was free to go and report”, yiga adds.

Yiga says that once in his car, Kayanja threw at him his business card telling him that he now had known the type of person he was messing up with.

Yiga reported a case of assault and malicious damage to property at the Jinja road police station.

Meanwhile, the other journalist who suffered almost the same fate is Mubiru Kakebe, a photojournalist with the New Vision publication, where he has worked for three years now.

Mubiru, 30, is a resident of Kyebando, Eriisa zone in Kawempe division, Kampala district.

He was covering an entertainment event of a live musical performance by the Qwela band at Club Rouge, located on Commercial Plaza building near railway headquarters along Jinja road in Kampala –the Capital City of Uganda, on the 22nd/Sept/2010.

He says he had been cleared by the security personnel at the venue, but got confronted moments after the band had started performing, at around 11pm, by a man who introduced himself as the director and owner of the entertainment spot.

Efforts to justify his presence and clearance by the security did not stop this man from ordering his bouncers to rough him up and throw him outside of the club.

“I resisted surrendering my camera but in vain as they overpowered me. They confiscated my camera and bag which had valuable items including my house keys”, Narrates Kakebe.

Kakebe adds that, “This man boxed me hard injuring one of my eyes and I fell down helplessly”.

“When the police arrived, they took me and another man Ivan Byamugisha who was brought in as the owner of the place, to the Central police Station (CPS) in Kampala from where both of us recorded statements”.

The Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has learnt that the police have ordered the management of the entertainment spot to produce the bouncers who reportedly roughed and beat up Kakebe, but has not responded and no action has been taken by the police against them.
The case is before police.

“These acts are very unfortunate especially when these perpetrators of this gross abuse of rights and law have not met with the full force of the law”, Says the HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman, Robert Ssempala.

The police have the challenge of bringing to book such culprits who take it upon themselves to harass and beat up journalists at will. HRNJ-Uganda demands that the law council takes displinary action against errant practitioners like Kayanja, who chose to take into their hands instead of taking lawful means.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Photo journalist evacuates family over threats by a government official

Mukono, 22nd/Sept/2010; A photo journalist working with the Red pepper publication, Tony Kizito has feared for the lives of his family following numerous direct threats from the District Resident commissioners (RDCs) in Mukono and Buikwe, in the central region of Uganda.

The RDCs are the president’s representatives in a given district and perform duties on behalf of the president. They are public servants.

Article 203 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda sets the overall duty of an RDCs as to monitor the implementation of central and local government services in the district.

Kizito, 28, has since then been receiving threatening phone calls from Major David Matovu and Betty Ssemakula accusing him of tarnishing their names. They demanded that he writes an open apology and be carried on the front the same paper, or else his life would be doomed.

“I have received threatening calls from the two RDCs demanding that I make an open apology to them in the paper or else my life was doomed”, Kizito intimated to the HRNJ-Uganda.

Matovu has reportedly been propagating hate campaigns while appearing on various local radio stations and mobilizing the public against him.
“The RDC has been on the radios and at various forums mobilizing hooligans to attack me”, Kizito adds.

He says he had to evacuate his family of three including a mother who has just given birth less than a month ago and a 3year old girl to an unknown place for safety.

The RDCs being the heads of security in all district in Uganda most often have miss used this power and directed police and other security agencies to do whatever is in their favors.

HRNJ-Uganda learnt that at one time Maj. Matovu tasked the area local leader of the village to ensure that Kizito appears before him. Did the same to Kizito’s landlady
When contacted by the HRNJ-Uganda team, Maj. Matovu could neither deny knowledge of intimidating and threatening Kizito nor own up. “Am not bothered by his journalistic work. If you want more, you can talk to his fellow journalists in Mukono district”.

On 30th/August/2010 Kamunye News Paper ran a front page story naming top RDCs who have been behind interfering and blocking Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II from touring his counties. The RDCs then arrested Kizito and took him to Mukono police where he was released on bond.

Efforts to talk to the line minister, Hon. Beatrice Wabudeya the Minister in charge of the presidency in Uganda were futile as her cell phone was off.

“This is gross abuse of power by the RDCs who should know better how to raise a complaint or open up a case if aggrieved through proper channels other than making threats to people’s lives”. Said the HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman Robert Ssempala

HRNJ-Uganda condemns such acts in the strongest terms and calls on the president who is the appointing authority to prevail over such errant public officers who are bent on instilling fear and threaten violence amongst the watchdogs of society- the media personnel.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Five suspects arrested over journalist’s murder

Rakai, 21st/Sept/2010; Police in Rakai district have arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of a Top Radio reporter Paul Kiggundu.

On 11th/Sept/2010 commercial cyclists locally known as bodabodas pounced on Kiggundu when he was recording scenes of demolition of the homestead of a suspected motorcycle (bodabodas) robber Frank Kagayi who they accused of killing their fellow cyclist Eddie Sengooba.

The arrested suspects include Joseph Lubega and Katumba Geoffrey both motorcyclists at Betherehem stage, Buberwa Gerald a cyclist at Kasambya stage, Peter Claveri locally known as Mulokole a cyclist at Total B stage and Sande Ibra from Finca stage. All these places are found in Rakai district in the Southern Buganda region.

The Southern Buganda region police spokesperson Noah Sserunjogi told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that the suspects would be aligned in court by the close of this week.

He added that they were still hurting for more suspects in the murder who have since deserted their places of work since Kiggundu’s death.

However, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of another journalist Dickson Ssentongo a news anchor with a Seventh Day Adventist Church based radio, Prime Radio in kirekka Wakiso district in Central Buganda region who was hit by metal bar wielding assailants.

The District Police Commander in the area Alphonse Musoni said, “Nobody has come out to volunteer any information in relation to the murder. However we are proceeding with the investigations”.

Ssentongo met his fate in the wee hours of Mon. 13th/Sept/2010 while on his way to work.

HRNJ-Uganda commends the police for the work done so far. We however caution police against delaying the trial of the suspects.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

News Anchor hit with metal bar to death

Mukono, 15th/Sept/2010; A news anchor with Prime radio Dickson Ssentongo has been hit with a metal bar to death.
Ssentongo, 29, has been a resident of Nantabulirirwa village, Ggoma subcounty, Mukono district in Central region of Uganda where he has been staying with his parents.
He was waylaid by unidentified metal bar welding men at Nantabulirirwa village who reportedly hit him at 5:00Am. He was on his way to the radio on foot to catch a taxi on the main road. They dragged him about 100 meters away from the scene of crime where they left him lying unconscious in a pool of blood.
Ssentongo joined the Kireka based Seventh Day Adventist church owned Prime radio two years ago as a luganda (local language) news anchor. He has also been a court assessor for the Mukono High Court circuit.
At the time of his death, Ssentongo had joined active politics and was an aspiring councilor for Nantabulirirwa Parish at Ggoma subcounty on the ticket of the Democratic Party, an opposition political party in Uganda.
The deceased’s employer at Prime Radio, Katongole Kiwanuka, the station’s chief news editor told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that Ssentongo was found by a local farmer at in a potato garden lying in a pool of blood around 9:00Am local time, and when she tried to help him he managed to speak only one word “Prime” before he went unconscious.
He was rushed to Mukono health centre 1V but could not get any treatment. He was later rushed to Mulago national referral hospital from where he died about twelve hours later before he could get treatment because his people lacked the ten hundred thousand shillings asked by the hospital authorities.
Ssentongo’s death comes just three days after motorcyclists in Rakai district mobbed up a Top radio reporter, Paul Kiggundu to death while he was on duty.
The District Police Commander (DPC) of Mukono, ASP Musoni Alphonse said he had dispatched a team of police investigators to establish the facts and make arrests.
“Such cases are not common in the area but in the few cases of it, the metal bar men target earlyrisers. They first establish their movement patterns”, Said Musoni.
HRNJ-Uganda sends its heart most condolences to the family of the deceased. “It is a very sad moment in the lifeline of the media in Uganda. We call upon all media houses to prioritize the safety of their employees, because its odd that the deceased was moving on foot alone at such a dangerous time”, Said the HRNJ-Uganda board chairman Robert Ssempala.
We call upon police to do work tirelessly and bring the culprits to book.
May his soul rest in peace
For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

HRNJ-Uganda STATEMENT: ANNIVERSARY OF DARKNESS TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION IN UGANDA SINCE THE SEPTEMBER GOV’T CRACK DOWN.

Kampala, 14th/September/2010; It is a full year since the historic day of darkness descended on to the media in Uganda when the government arbitrarily closed down five media houses.
On the 10th and 11th of September 2009, the government switched off Ssuubi Fm, Radio Two (locally known as Akaboozi), the catholic based Radio Sapientia, and the Buganda Kingdom’s 88.8 and 89.2 Central Broadcasting Services(CBS).
CBS remains closed to date with over 120 of its staff members unemployed while 18 other presenters got fired from different media houses namely; government owned Uganda Broadcasting Service, Vision Voice, Radio Sapientia, Radio Simba, Radio One, Record TV, Radio Buddu, WBS TV, Radio Two and Ssuubi fm
Amongst those fired include Kalundi Robert Sserumaga, Anthony Kibuuka, Herbert Yawe Kabanda, Peter Kibazo, Charles Odongotho, Rose Namwogerere, Omulangira Ndaula Jjuuko, Aloysius Matovu, Irene Kisseka, Ben Mutebi, Andrew Benon Kibuuka and Kivumbi a.k.a. Manyimatono.
Others who lost their jobs under duress are Chris Ssemakula, Basajja Mivule -though later reinstated with conditions, Kazibwe Bashir Mbaziira, Deo Walusimbi, Eddie Mukwaaba Katende and Mark Walungama
Although some media practitioners have secretly returned to their respective duties, it’s only Sserumaga who was charged with sedition which was later nullified by the constitutional court leaving others being persecuted for their work.
A case that would have brought back sanity challenging the actions of the Broadcasting Council was filed more than six months ago by the aggrieved journalists but has not taken off.

The Broadcasting Council (BC) has lost its moral purpose of overseeing and promoting the media work. It is now serving interests of the state as a result of the delayed justice from the court.
A case in point is where the BC chairman Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi directed a private owned radio Voice of Lango to suspend two presenters (Akena Patrick Ronex and Joe Orech) for hosting Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Dr. Olara Otunnu on 12th/April/2010.
Another case was filled in a bid to reverse Broadcasting Decision that banned the open space talk shows commonly known as ‘Ebimeeza’ but has been stagnant and referred to constitutional court to interpret the law used to file the case. The case was brought to court under ‘notice of Motion’
Eng. Mutabazi has used his office to acquire radio frequencies and licenses. He owns two radio stations including Voice of Kamwenge. This makes it difficult for him to fulfill his statutory duties due to conflict of interest.
“Eng. Mutabazi has been biased in his work and he is not accountable to the membership (electronic media) but the state. Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.
He added that, “No member of Broadcasting Council knows how the money collected from annual license is utilized. We have more than 150 operating electronic media houses in Uganda and each pays five million shillings (5,000,000/=) annually. How does this money benefit the various stakeholders at the end of the day?”
This full year also comes at a time when the media freedom in Uganda is facing a lot of challenges ranging from suffocative legislation, police harassment, murder, judicial sanctions, and public statement to attacks committed by politicians and members of the public against journalists with impunity.
The government did not only lose a case it brought against the Central Broadcasting Service in which it was accusing the radio of being responsible for them over 30 people who died and the loss of property lost by the public during the three day riots but the law on sedition which was baring the media and the public auditing the performance of government.
This not notwithstanding, the government seems very reluctant to re-open the radio despite efforts by the various stakeholders to prevail upon it to re-instate the it.
The year also falls when the quality of discussion and debate on pertinent issues especially governance and corruption has extremely gone down for fear of falling prey to government’s wrath and possible closure.
At Ssuubi FM which remained closed for almost five months, political and current affairs programmes were replaced by musical and entertainment ones while Kazibwe Bashir Mbaziira -deemed to be a critical journalist was laid off under unclear circumstances.
So there is immeasurable amount self censorship in the media today. This greatly affects the populace negatively because they never get to participate in most of the topical governance issues following the banning of their popular forums ‘Ebimeeza’, so they are bound to making uninformed decisions.
It can be summed up that since the September 11th 2009, the media in Uganda is going through very challenging times with extremely limited space to operate in a free and friendly environment.

We therefore recommend guaranteeing smooth media operation towards, during and after 2011 general elections;
• That the inspectorate of government (IGG) investigate Eng. Mutabazi for alleged abuse of office and punished him once proved guilty of offence.
• That Eng. Mutabazi be sent on faced leave to allow proper investigations
• The government should re-open CBS unconditionally if it has no case brought against it in the courts of law.
• The restrictive and suffocative laws aimed at muzzling the media should be abandoned.
• The government should take extra punitive measures to punish errant public and security personnel who harass, intimidate or torture journalists.
• The Presidential Guard Brigade should desist from arresting and detaining journalists at police station for days without taking them to courts of law where they can defend themselves.
• The government should look at the media as a partner in governance and development of this country and put in place environment that safeguards it.
• The government should honor all the international conventions and treaties in respect to freedom of speech and expression to which Uganda is a signatory.

HRNJ-Uganda Alert: Radio Reporter beaten to death by cyclists

Rakai, 12th/September/2010; Commercial motor cyclists locally known as bodabodas in Rakai district have beaten a Top radio correspondent Paul Kiggundu to death.
Kiggundu joined the Masaka based Top Radio eight months ago as an area for Rakai district in Southern Buganda.

The cyclists pounced on him when he was recording scenes of demolition of the homestead of a suspected motorcycle (bodabodas) robber Frank Kagayi who they also accused of killing their fellow cyclist Sengooba Eddie.

Sengooba was hired by two men on Thursday 9th/09/2010, he was later discovered dead and body dumped at Ntovu village, Nkenge Parish, Kasaali subcounty in Rakai district. Police in Kasensero yesterday –Saturday the 11th/09/2010 arrested the suspects Frank Kagayi and one Muwonge with the deceased’ motorcycle.

Kagayi and Muwonge confessed to having commited the murder and robbery.
It is on this basis that Sengooba’s fellow cyclists descended on Kagayi’s home and razed it to the ground. They never spared Kiggundu the journalist because they suspected him of spying for police in the area. Despite his efforts to identify himself as a journalist, they beat Kiggundu into comma.

He died before he could be rushed to Kalisizo government hospital to get emergency treatment after the area health centre referred him to a major hospital due to over breeding. “This is very wrong because you cannot use injustice to get justice” Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Board Chairman Robert Ssempala said.

Kiggundu is the second media practitioner to be mobbed up in a period less than eight years after Wilbroad Kasujja a news anchor at a community radio Buwama who was raped and killed in 2004. But sadly, no conclusive investigations have been made and produced.

As a journalist rights body, HRNJ-Uganda condemns in strongest terms possible this act of people taking the law into their hands.

We demand that police should act steadily fast to apprehend and bring all the perpetrators of this mob justice to book.

Kiggundu survived with one wife and four children. May his Soul Rest in Peace.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Court summons journalist’s attacker

Kampala, 09th/09/2010; Buganda road court has summoned National Resistance Movement (NRM) Entrepreneur league leader Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba to answer charges of assaulting the New Vision photo journalist.

Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba also the chairman Uganda Muslim Supreme Council on 06th/09/2010 slapped and boxed and shattered Arthur Kintu’s lips at the on-going conference of the NRM special organs at Namboole stadium in Kira Town Council, Wakiso district.

Basajjabala was allegedly angered by being photographed by Kintu.

The summons issued today 09th/09/2010 at around 3:30pm by Grade One Magistrate Buganda road court Francis Kobusheshe require Basajjabalaba l to appear before court on 17th/09/2010. “Welcome the court action. It’s an achievement in our struggle to end impunity in Uganda” Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.

Prosecution has also preferred bribery charges against Basajjabalaba. Sources told HRNJ-Uganda the file has been referred to anti-graft court.

HRNJ-Uganda calls on the judiciary which is temple of justice to expedite the hearing of the case.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http//:hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

RULING PARTY LEADER ASSAULTS PHOTO JOURNALIST.

Kampala 07th/09/2010; Hajji Hassan Basajjabalaba of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has slapped and boxed a senior journalist Arthur Kintu at the on-going conference of the NRM special organs at Namboole stadium in Kira Town Council, Wakiso district.
Basajjabalaba is the party’s chairman of the entrepreneurs’ league which brings together businessmen allied to the NRM.

Kintu a photo journalist with the government owned news paper the New Vision is the second journalist to fall victim of Basajjabala’ brutality while on duty after Ivan Kalanzi a journalist with Radio Two (locally known as Akaboozi) who he roughed up two months ago at the Uganda Moslem Supreme Council headquarters at Old Kampala.

“We are concerned about the safety and security of journalists in Uganda ahead of the 2011 general elections. Cases committed against journalists are likely to double the figure registered last year. It is very absurd.” Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Board Chairperson Robert Ssempala said.
HRNJ-Uganda has learnt that Basajjabalaba was angered by being photographed yet earlier on he was allegedly bribing voters ahead of their special organ party elections.

“I was photographing Basajjabala upon learning that he had been re- elected to the post. He angrily charged at me asking who had given me the permission to take his photos. He slapped me twice and boxed me in the face. He shattered my lips and started bleeding all over”, Kintu said.

Kintu says that, “As an accredited journalist i did not need Basajjabalaba’s permission to take pictures.”

Basajjabalaba is one of the many politicians and other leaders who have meted their anger and desperation onto journalists while protecting themselves from being exposed for abuse of offices.“Worst of all, such individuals use their economic or political muscle to intimidate the journalists’ respective media houses from pursuing the matter to courts of law,” Ssempala Added.

HRNJ-Uganda condemns in the strongest terms possible Basajjabalaba’s violent acts against journalists. We call on police to expeditiously investigate the case and take Basajjabalaba to court to answer his deeds, failure of which a private prosecution case will be lodged in court by HRNJ-Uganda.

Kintu has reported the matter to police and an inquiry file opened at Namboole Police post under number SD-Ref: 25/06/09/2010.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org

HRNJ-Uganda Alert: Two radio reporters taken hostage

Mukono, 6th/Sept/2010; Striking workers of Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (SCOUL) have taken two radio journalists hostage.

Mukono district based reporters; Moses Mawejje a reporter with radio Simba and Herbert Mugaga a reporter with K fm were intercepted and kidnapped inside a thick sugarcane plantation on Friday 3rd/09/2010 by angry workers.

Workers laid down their tools over the week-end protesting against poor remuneration. SCOUL is among the three sugar factories in Uganda based in Mukono district, about 50 kilometers east of Kampala.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has learnt that striking workers blocked Jinja – Kampala highway which actions triggered reporters to visit the news scene. Upon touring the area, reporters fell into an ambush of striking workers who had hidden in sugar cane plantation.

“We were pulled off the motorcycle we were using and impounded it. The workers were armed with machetes and sticks which they used to assault and manhandle us. We were accused of being sent by SCOUL management to spy on them” Mugaga narrated. They spent about two hours in captivity.

HRNJ-Uganda expresses fears over the increasing attacks against journalists in Uganda coming from all corners of society ahead of 2011 general elections. “Journalists currently cannot bank on the protection from the public which they serve. A number of cases have been committed by members of the public particularly this year” HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.

The reporters who sustained injuries later escaped from captivity.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Police grills journalist for over 5 hours

Kampala, 01st/09/2010; the Uganda Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has grilled Radio Two commonly referred at as Akaboozi journalist Richard Mivule for over 5 hours over incitement to violence.
Mivule in his 50s who hosts a mid-morning talk-show between 9am to 11am weekdays was accused of having hosted an opposition member of parliament for Kampala Central division and shadow attorney general Erias Lukwago during September riots that claimed lives of more than 40 people.“These cases are meant to silence and intimidate the media ahead of 2011 general elections. The state should be reminded about its mandate to protect and uphold the right to freedom of expression and press freedom” Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Board Chairman Robert Ssempala said.
The September 2009 riots occurred following the blocking of the King of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II by government from touring his county of Bugerere which is one of the 18 counties which make up his kingdom.
Buganda is one of the biggest ethnic groups in Uganda.
Mivule accompanied by his lawyer Sebuliba Jordan Kiwanuka of F. Mukasa & Company Advocates was grilled from 11:30am to 5pm much as he reached the CID Headquarters at 9:30am. He was summoned by Moses Sakira and interrogated by a two-man team led by detective Birungi Milton
Radio Two is one of the private owned radios that were closed down during demonstration. Others included catholic based radio Sapientia, Ssuubi fm which have since been re-opened and Buganda Kingdom’s Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) 88.8 and 89.2fm which remain closed to date.
“Am surprised that police interrogated me about matters spoken by another person I hosted a year ago. This is not fair but am sure I committed no crime” Mivule said.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) condemns the unnecessary interrogation of journalists by police which tantamount to torture.
He recorded a statement and was released without a charge. He will report to police on notice.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Uganda: Photo journalist arrested over alleged publication of defamatory matter

Mukono; 31st/August/2010: Two Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) have arrested the Red Pepper publication limited photo journalist Tony Kizito over alleged publication of a defamatory story by the Kamunye news paper a vernacular sister paper of Red pepper.

Kizito, 28, was arrested at around 11:00am on 30th/08/2010 on his way to Mukono Town council when he was intercepted by the Buikwe RDC Betty Ssemakula who arrested and transferred him to another Mukono RDC Major David Matovu.

A Resident District Commissioner is appointed by the president as his representative at the district. Uganda has more than 110 districts.

On 30th/August/2010 Kamunye News Paper ran a front page story naming top RDCs who have been behind interfering and blocking Buganda King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II from touring his counties. The RDCs included the deputy for Nakawa division Fred Bamwine, Major David Matovu for Mukono district and Betty Ssemakula for Buikwe district.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has learnt that Kizito was manhandled during the arrest, lost his camera and had his mobile phone confiscated by RDC Ssemakula.

RDC Matovu and Ssemakula allegedly mobilized hooligans who harassed Kizito before he was taken to Mukono police station. “It’s unfortunate that such public officials could take the law into their hands with impunity. Everybody is entitled to a fair hearing in the courts of law, just that” HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman Robert Ssempala said.

Article 28 (3) a of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda states that every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until proven guilty by courts of law or until that person has pleaded guilty.

Kizito was transferred to Mukono police station where he was held from Monday 2pm 30th/08/2010, recorded a statement and charged with ‘publishing defamatory matter’. “I was harassed and manhandled by hooligans hired by these RDCs. They forced me to sit on the ground several times on top of being insulted” Kizito said.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) condemns these acts of harassment that were subjected to Kizito in the strongest terms possible. We call upon the office of the president to investigate the behaviors of its staff and other perpetrators and strongly discipline them.

Kizito was released on police bond. HRNJ-Uganda programmes coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala stood surety for him and ordered by police to produce Kizito on Friday the 3rd/08/2010 at 9:00am.

For more information contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Uganda; Court nullifies sedition law

Kampala; 25th/08/2010, The Constitutional Court has declared the law on sedition as null and void.

The court ruling which was delivered on 25th/08/2010 morning by the court registrar Asaph Ntegye Ruhinda on behalf of five Judges including Justice Leticia Kikonyogo, Justice Steven Kavuma , Justice George Egwau, Justice Constance Byamugisha and Justice Augustine Nshiime nullified sections namely; 39 and 40 of the Penal Code, Cap. 120 which define and establish the law on sedition.

“Judges ruled that these sections of the penal code are unconstitutional and inconsistence with Article 29 (1) which guarantee freedom of speech” Ntegye said. The existence of sedition sections do not follow within the acceptable limit of speech.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) welcomes the court ruling which has broaden the space for free speech which has been under attack for many years in Uganda.

In 2005, journalist Andrew Mwenda and East African media Institute through lawyers James Nangwala and Kenneth Kakuru petitioned Constitutional court challenging the provisions on sedition in the Penal Code Act arguing that it was violating the right to freedom of expression which is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

Under the Penal code Act, Sedition is defined as where a person alters or publishes statements aimed at bringing hatred, contempt or disaffection against the president, the government or the judiciary. The Act sets seven years of imprisonment on conviction. Mwenda was charged with sedition in 2005 arising from a talk show he modulated on K fm

According to HRNJ-Uganda Mid-Year Press Freedom Index Report 2010, more than a dozen of journalists have been on sedition charges and opposition political party supporters namely; Lubaga north MP Betty Kamya, Mukono north MP Betty Nambooze and Medard Ssengona.

“I commend court for having exercised its independence and struck off sedition out of our law books. This law did not affect us (media) only but the entire country” the Independent Managing Director Andrew Mwenda said. He has been charged with sedition 18 times out of the 25 charges is facing before court.

The court has also made several sections in the penal code act redundant which establish the law on promoting sectarianism including; section 42, 43 and 44 however, section which 41 which precisely define sectarianism was maintained.

The government has threatened to appeal against the sedition ruling according to principal state attorney Patricia Mutetsi as well as Mwenda against promoting sectarianism.

For More Information Contact;

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

Court blocks media from writing about police investigation into the July11th bomb blasts

Kampala, 20th/08/2010; Any journalist operating in Uganda and writes about police investigation into July 11th bomb blasts risks to be charged with terrorism according to court order.

The court order released on Monday the 16th/08/2010 by Nakawa chief magistrate’s court issues an injunction doth against all print and (broadcast) media house operating in Uganda retraining them from publishing information and or police investigation relating to July 11th terrorism case pending before the same court.
The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002 states that any person who establishes, runs or supports any institution for promoting terrorism, publishing and disseminating news or materials that promote terrorism is also liable to suffer death upon conviction.

The injunction has come at a time when there’s power struggle between the police force and the army over who should do investigation. Last week, the army paraded terrorist suspects before the media while the police boss Gen. Kale Kayihura held a parallel press conference at the same time at the government’s media center.

Sources say, in the ex-party miscellaneous application lodged before court on Monday the 16th/08/2010 officials at police argued that media reports about the ongoing investigation into July/11th bomb blasts facilitate other suspects at large to disappear.

Human Rights Network for Journalist-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) expresses its disappointment over the way the government has criminalized the work of the media and denies the public the right to know the outcome of the investigations. “Uganda has had a number of commissions of inquiries and none has been made public. Government should be accountable to its people and the media should be allowed to operate freely” HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.

Since the anti-terrorism came into force, no journalist has ever been charged with terrorism although there’s Mega fm journalist Patrick Otim who is on remand at Luzira prison on charges of treason.

HRNJ-Uganda calls on government to withdraw the injunction as part of promoting an open and accountable government.

For more information contact;

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road, Mengo- Bulange, Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
Tel: +256-414-667627 / +256-701-810079
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com