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
HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK FOR JOURNALISTS UGANDA (HRNJ-Uganda)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
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
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
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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
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
Monday, October 11, 2010
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
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
Thursday, October 7, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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
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
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