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
HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK FOR JOURNALISTS UGANDA (HRNJ-Uganda)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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
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
Thursday, September 23, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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
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
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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
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
Monday, September 6, 2010
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
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
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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
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
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