24th/Jan/2011; Four journalists have been physically attacked in different incidents in one week, with just 26 days to the February 18th 2011 general elections.
The victims include Issa Aliga a Masaka correspondent for NTV and Ssozi Ssekimpi the Masaka based Top Radio editor. They were both assaulted by the Masaka district woman Member of Parliament Sauda Namagwa on Jan/20th/2011 at Masaka Central Police Station where Namagwa had gone to record a statement over a crash with her political opponent, Freda Mubanda who is vying for the same seat.
The other journalist is Mutegeki Geoffrey working with Voice of Tooro in Fort Portal. He was assaulted by policemen who mistook his cell phone for a camera. He suffered the police wrath on Jan/17th/2011 when he went to cover an impending students’ strike at Fort Portal School of Clinical Officers. The school is found in Western Uganda.
The forth is the Red Pepper photo journalist Michael Kakumirizi. He was mobbed up by the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters in Lango sub region who were allegedly bribing the locals at Aloi Police Post in the newly created Alebeatong district in an attempt to make them shun Dr. Kizza Besigye’s campaign rally on Wednesday 19th/Jan/2011. Besigye is the leader of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. He is the joint opposition (IPC) candidate and Museveni’s stiffest contender.
Kakumirizi, in his late 20s, escaped with a deep wound on his forehead and bruised arm which were hit by bricks and a bicycle that was thrown at him.
The other victim is Francis Tumwekwasize a former journalist with WBS TV now attached to the Inter Party Cooperation (IPC) Press Unit. He was also assaulted together with Kakumirizi by the NRM supporters.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has noted that perpetrators of this violence target to destroy or confiscate journalists’ tools of trade especially the video and photo cameras.
“Majority of the Cases recorded last week are related to the on-going
presidential and parliamentary campaigns. This clearly has a substantial negative effect on the freedom of expression and the media. Therefore journalists need an environment which enables them to document all such cases in order to map out strategies of securing their areas of operation.” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
Well as HRNJ-Uganda is working closely with authorities to ensure that culprits are punished, none of these perpetrators have been arrested or prosecuted.
These criminal acts infringe on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom as enshrined in the 1995 constitution and international treaties ratified by Uganda.
HRNJ-Uganda is concerned that failure by police to prosecute those depriving journalists of their fundamental freedoms and rights has promoted of impunity and heightened the levels of violence.
Therefore, HRNJ-Uganda challenges the Uganda Police Force (UPF) to embark on investigating and prosecuting these cases of violence within a period of one week. The police should update HRNJ-Uganda on the progress of its action. Failure, our lawyers will be instructed to institute private prosecution cases.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK FOR JOURNALISTS UGANDA (HRNJ-Uganda)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Member of Parliament assaults journalists at police.
Masaka, 23rd/Jan/2011; The Masaka district Woman Member of Parliament (MP), Sauda Namagwa assaulted Issa Aliga of NTV and Ssozi Ssekimpi the Masaka based Top Radio editor.
The two were assaulted on 20th/Jan/2011 at Masaka Central Police Station where the MP had gone to record a statement over a crash with her political opponent, Freda Mubanda who is vying for the same seat.
Namagwa and Mubanda had crashed at a local meeting at Ssenyange parish, Nyendo-Ssenyange division in Masaka Municipality where they got into a bitter argument. It is said that Namagwa had not been officially invited. The anti-riot police rescued the situation. Namagwa went to police to record a statement.
Namagwa did not want to be filmed as she engaged the police into negotiations. So she got a stone and hit Aliga’s left foot. She grabbed Ssekimpi by the collar as she shouted at the two accusing them of interference. The police just looked on as the scuffle ensued.
Aliga recorded a statement of assault at Masaka Central police Station.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) condemns such violence against journalists in the strongest terms possible.
We call upon the police to expeditiously investigate the misconduct and prosecute Namagwa for abusing the very principles which she herself should have been defending.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
The two were assaulted on 20th/Jan/2011 at Masaka Central Police Station where the MP had gone to record a statement over a crash with her political opponent, Freda Mubanda who is vying for the same seat.
Namagwa and Mubanda had crashed at a local meeting at Ssenyange parish, Nyendo-Ssenyange division in Masaka Municipality where they got into a bitter argument. It is said that Namagwa had not been officially invited. The anti-riot police rescued the situation. Namagwa went to police to record a statement.
Namagwa did not want to be filmed as she engaged the police into negotiations. So she got a stone and hit Aliga’s left foot. She grabbed Ssekimpi by the collar as she shouted at the two accusing them of interference. The police just looked on as the scuffle ensued.
Aliga recorded a statement of assault at Masaka Central police Station.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) condemns such violence against journalists in the strongest terms possible.
We call upon the police to expeditiously investigate the misconduct and prosecute Namagwa for abusing the very principles which she herself should have been defending.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
Photo journalist mobbed up by NRM ruling party supporters.
Lira, 22nd/Jan/2011; A Red Pepper’s photo journalist Michael Kakumirizi was mobbed up by suspected the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM) party supporters while covering an opposition presidential candidate’s campaign rally in the Lango sub-region.
Kakumirizi, in his late 20s, escaped with a deep wound on his forehead and bruised arm which were hit by bricks and a bicycle that was thrown at him.
Others beaten included Francis Tumwekwasize a former WBS TV journalist now attached to the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) Press Unit. IPC is a coalition of different opposition political parties fronting retired Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye for the Uganda presidency.
Him and other journalists were roughed up by the suspected NRM functionaries who accused them of taking their pictures while allegedly bribing voters at Aloi Police Post in the newly created Alebeatong district in an attempt to keep residents away from Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Wednesday 19th/Jan/2011 rally in the area.
This group in Alebeatong district was awakened by the camera flash to realize that journalists were part of the group of residents that they had called to Aloi Police Post to receive the money.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) was told by eye witness that supporters pounced on the journalists and tried to take away their cameras, but the journalists too put up a spirited fight, to save their equipments and dear lives.
“I was rounded up by these functionaries as I tried to escape. They beat me using batons, kicks, and fists. I became helpless because the area police just looked on. I was saved by Besigye’s guards. I am not political, and at the time I was only doing my journalistic work.” Kakumirizi narrated to Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).
The guards arrested the Aloi Sub County NRM Chairman Francis Owino who is accused of leading the attack on journalists. The Police struggled with FDC supporters to save Owino from being lynched.
Owino and other suspects were immediately driven to Alebeatong Police Station where journalists also filed cases of assault against this group of NRM leaders.
Surprisingly, however, the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), Abdul Ogwal secured the release of Owino and his allies before they were rocked up. It was later established that the DISO is Owino’ relative
“HRNJ-Uganda is greatly concerned about the increasing violence against journalists at the hands of ruling party supporters with impunity. We challenge the police and other authorities to prosecute this group as a way to preserve and protect journalists during this campaign period.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairperson, Robert Ssempala
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
Kakumirizi, in his late 20s, escaped with a deep wound on his forehead and bruised arm which were hit by bricks and a bicycle that was thrown at him.
Others beaten included Francis Tumwekwasize a former WBS TV journalist now attached to the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) Press Unit. IPC is a coalition of different opposition political parties fronting retired Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye for the Uganda presidency.
Him and other journalists were roughed up by the suspected NRM functionaries who accused them of taking their pictures while allegedly bribing voters at Aloi Police Post in the newly created Alebeatong district in an attempt to keep residents away from Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Wednesday 19th/Jan/2011 rally in the area.
This group in Alebeatong district was awakened by the camera flash to realize that journalists were part of the group of residents that they had called to Aloi Police Post to receive the money.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) was told by eye witness that supporters pounced on the journalists and tried to take away their cameras, but the journalists too put up a spirited fight, to save their equipments and dear lives.
“I was rounded up by these functionaries as I tried to escape. They beat me using batons, kicks, and fists. I became helpless because the area police just looked on. I was saved by Besigye’s guards. I am not political, and at the time I was only doing my journalistic work.” Kakumirizi narrated to Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).
The guards arrested the Aloi Sub County NRM Chairman Francis Owino who is accused of leading the attack on journalists. The Police struggled with FDC supporters to save Owino from being lynched.
Owino and other suspects were immediately driven to Alebeatong Police Station where journalists also filed cases of assault against this group of NRM leaders.
Surprisingly, however, the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), Abdul Ogwal secured the release of Owino and his allies before they were rocked up. It was later established that the DISO is Owino’ relative
“HRNJ-Uganda is greatly concerned about the increasing violence against journalists at the hands of ruling party supporters with impunity. We challenge the police and other authorities to prosecute this group as a way to preserve and protect journalists during this campaign period.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairperson, Robert Ssempala
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
Police Assaults Journalist.
Fort Portal; 21st/Jan/2011; Police in Fort Portal assaults a radio journalist over photographs.
Two police men attached to Fort Portal Central Police Station have assaulted a radio journalist, Mutegeki Geoffrey, 25, working with Voice of Tooro. He suffered the police wrath on Jan/17/2011 when he went to cover an impending students’ strike at Fort Portal School of Clinical Officers.
The school is found in Western Uganda.
The students had threatened to stage a strike over poor welfare and their demand for the transfer of the college’s principal.
Mutegeki was signing into the visitor’s book at the school’s main entrance when the police men suspected him of carrying a camera. They demanded that he deletes any photographs he could have taken.
“I reached at the news scene at around 2pm. As I was signing into the visitor’s book, a policeman mistook my cell phone for a camera; he then started demanding that I delete all the photographs in it. I told him that it was a cell phone not a camera but he went ahead to confiscate it” Mutegeki said.
He adds that as he was being accused of having taken photographs by one policeman, another one came from behind and clobbered his head twice and kicked his right leg.
Sources told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that Mutegeki, however, could not file a case of assault because the police in the area denied him access to Police Form3 when he went there for assistance. “They kept referring me from one police officer to another until I gave up on the matter.” Mutegeki told HRNJ-Uganda.
Police form three (3) is an official diagnosis document used by victims of assault.
HRNJ-Uganda learnt that the police had ignored the case until radios in the area publicized it.
“We received a call from the District Police Commander of Fort Portal, Joseph Kihamba who invited us to a meeting. He blamed us for having aired such negative stories against the police” a journalist who preferred not to be named told HRNJ-Uganda.
“This violent act was criminal and infringes on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and the media as enshrined in Uganda’s constitution.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda, Board Chairman Robert Ssempala
HRNJ-Uganda therefore demands that these errant officers be brought to book for their unprofessional behavior in the period possible failure HRNJ-Uganda will not hesitate to institute a private prosecution case.
The Fort portal District Police Commander Joseph Kihamba told HRNJ-Uganda that the case was being investigated and promised to have taken action by Monday 24th/Jan/2011.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
Two police men attached to Fort Portal Central Police Station have assaulted a radio journalist, Mutegeki Geoffrey, 25, working with Voice of Tooro. He suffered the police wrath on Jan/17/2011 when he went to cover an impending students’ strike at Fort Portal School of Clinical Officers.
The school is found in Western Uganda.
The students had threatened to stage a strike over poor welfare and their demand for the transfer of the college’s principal.
Mutegeki was signing into the visitor’s book at the school’s main entrance when the police men suspected him of carrying a camera. They demanded that he deletes any photographs he could have taken.
“I reached at the news scene at around 2pm. As I was signing into the visitor’s book, a policeman mistook my cell phone for a camera; he then started demanding that I delete all the photographs in it. I told him that it was a cell phone not a camera but he went ahead to confiscate it” Mutegeki said.
He adds that as he was being accused of having taken photographs by one policeman, another one came from behind and clobbered his head twice and kicked his right leg.
Sources told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that Mutegeki, however, could not file a case of assault because the police in the area denied him access to Police Form3 when he went there for assistance. “They kept referring me from one police officer to another until I gave up on the matter.” Mutegeki told HRNJ-Uganda.
Police form three (3) is an official diagnosis document used by victims of assault.
HRNJ-Uganda learnt that the police had ignored the case until radios in the area publicized it.
“We received a call from the District Police Commander of Fort Portal, Joseph Kihamba who invited us to a meeting. He blamed us for having aired such negative stories against the police” a journalist who preferred not to be named told HRNJ-Uganda.
“This violent act was criminal and infringes on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and the media as enshrined in Uganda’s constitution.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda, Board Chairman Robert Ssempala
HRNJ-Uganda therefore demands that these errant officers be brought to book for their unprofessional behavior in the period possible failure HRNJ-Uganda will not hesitate to institute a private prosecution case.
The Fort portal District Police Commander Joseph Kihamba told HRNJ-Uganda that the case was being investigated and promised to have taken action by Monday 24th/Jan/2011.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
Thursday, January 13, 2011
HRNJ-Uganda Alert: Managing Editor and a director detained over President Museveni’s cartoon.
13th/Jan/2011; The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Editor of the Summit Business Review magazine, Mustapha Mugisa was arrested by security operatives and detained at police over running a cartoon of President Museveni on his magazine cover.
The Summit Business Review magazine Vol.02, issue 10, of October 2010 ran a cartoon of the president while cutting a cake to mark 48 years of
Uganda’s independence. The magazine examined Museveni’s outstanding challenges under his 24years in power. They included; roads, health, economy, security, transparency, development and education.
It also paid special attention to the forthcoming general elections between February and March this year, and what was next for the country after Museveni’s 24 years in power out of the total 48 that Uganda has been independent. It was summarized in the headline, ‘Uganda at 48. Museveni at 24. Where next?’
On 11th/January/2011, at around 11:30am, 10 security operatives in civilian clothes, stormed the magazine offices in Kamwokya- a suburb of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, armed with copies of the magazine and asked to know whether he was Mugisa the editor of the magazine.
“Upon introducing myself as the editor/CEO of the magazine, they told me to record a statement there and then over Museveni’s cartoon, which I did for about 40minutes. After which, they demanded that follow them to the Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala to face their face their boss”.
Mugisa told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).
When he reached at CPS, Mugisa was detained in a police cell without a charge and his laptop confiscated. The Co-director of the Magazine, Dr Samuel Ssejjaaka was subsequently arrested when he went to CPS to rescue his colleague.
The dual was detained for over four hours and later released on a police bond which did not mention any charges preferred against them.
Sources told HRNJ-Uganda that the dual’s file has been forwarded to directorate of Criminal Investigation Department based at Kibuli and they are required to appear before political offences desk today 13th/Jan/2011
Art. 29(a) states that, “Every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and the media”
HRNJ-Uganda believes that using a cartoon is one form of expression which is acceptable in any democratic state and recognized by international treaties to which Uganda is a party and the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda therefore, nobody should be punished for expressing his or herself.
“It is an abuse to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and the media for security to detain people at their own discretion basing on this. This is persecution that should not go unpunished and the police must explain this act urgently.” Demand by HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairperson, Robert Ssempala
HRNJ-Uganda calls on the Office the United Nations Special Rapporteur, development partners as well as others bodies to bring the government of Uganda to order and remind it about its responsibility of protecting rights and freedoms.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road at Mengo-Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box.71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline; 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Visit our website: www.hrnjuganda.org to access the full report.
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
The Summit Business Review magazine Vol.02, issue 10, of October 2010 ran a cartoon of the president while cutting a cake to mark 48 years of
Uganda’s independence. The magazine examined Museveni’s outstanding challenges under his 24years in power. They included; roads, health, economy, security, transparency, development and education.
It also paid special attention to the forthcoming general elections between February and March this year, and what was next for the country after Museveni’s 24 years in power out of the total 48 that Uganda has been independent. It was summarized in the headline, ‘Uganda at 48. Museveni at 24. Where next?’
On 11th/January/2011, at around 11:30am, 10 security operatives in civilian clothes, stormed the magazine offices in Kamwokya- a suburb of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, armed with copies of the magazine and asked to know whether he was Mugisa the editor of the magazine.
“Upon introducing myself as the editor/CEO of the magazine, they told me to record a statement there and then over Museveni’s cartoon, which I did for about 40minutes. After which, they demanded that follow them to the Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala to face their face their boss”.
Mugisa told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).
When he reached at CPS, Mugisa was detained in a police cell without a charge and his laptop confiscated. The Co-director of the Magazine, Dr Samuel Ssejjaaka was subsequently arrested when he went to CPS to rescue his colleague.
The dual was detained for over four hours and later released on a police bond which did not mention any charges preferred against them.
Sources told HRNJ-Uganda that the dual’s file has been forwarded to directorate of Criminal Investigation Department based at Kibuli and they are required to appear before political offences desk today 13th/Jan/2011
Art. 29(a) states that, “Every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and the media”
HRNJ-Uganda believes that using a cartoon is one form of expression which is acceptable in any democratic state and recognized by international treaties to which Uganda is a party and the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda therefore, nobody should be punished for expressing his or herself.
“It is an abuse to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and the media for security to detain people at their own discretion basing on this. This is persecution that should not go unpunished and the police must explain this act urgently.” Demand by HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairperson, Robert Ssempala
HRNJ-Uganda calls on the Office the United Nations Special Rapporteur, development partners as well as others bodies to bring the government of Uganda to order and remind it about its responsibility of protecting rights and freedoms.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road at Mengo-Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box.71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 /+256-414-667627
Toll Free Helpline; 0800144155
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Visit our website: www.hrnjuganda.org to access the full report.
Blog: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Court fines news paper
Kampala, 3rd/Jan/2011; Court in Kampala has ordered a news paper the ‘Rolling stone’ to compensate individuals whose names and faces were labeled as gays in one of its reports.
This followed the aggrieved individuals through their lawyers Henry Onoria, John Francis Onyango and Ankankwasa Edward to drag the paper to court over violating their right to privacy, the right to human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment.
On the 2nd/October/2010, the paper carried a story that was labeled as “Scandal” and under the headline “Hang them; they are after our kids!!!!! Pictures of Uganda’s 100 homos leak.”
Some extracts of the story read: A 12 months clandestine investigation into the dark world of homosexuality and lesbianism in the country has led to the full exposure of the facial appearances of leading gays in this nation.
The paper alleged to have secured 100 pictures and more were coming in a four-part series.
Delivering the judgment, the High Court judge Justice V.F. Musoke-Kibuuka issued an injunction restraining the paper and its servants from any further publications of the identities of the persons and homes of the applicant and homosexuals generally.
Justice Kibuuka found that the impugned publication threatened the rights of the applicants to respect for human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment and the right to privacy of person and home.
He also ordered the news paper to pay 1,500,000 Uganda Shillings which is equivalent to U S $ 750.00 to each victim as compensation as well as paying legal costs for the applicants.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) believes that the enjoyment to freedom of press and freedom of expression come with a responsibility to protect and promote other people’s rights.
“Regulatory bodies should not be targeting to close down critical media houses or arresting and sacking journalists under duress but they should neutrally enforce the licensing regulations” HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.
We applaud court for the judgment because it will bring back the declining state of responsible media.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road at Mengo- Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
This followed the aggrieved individuals through their lawyers Henry Onoria, John Francis Onyango and Ankankwasa Edward to drag the paper to court over violating their right to privacy, the right to human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment.
On the 2nd/October/2010, the paper carried a story that was labeled as “Scandal” and under the headline “Hang them; they are after our kids!!!!! Pictures of Uganda’s 100 homos leak.”
Some extracts of the story read: A 12 months clandestine investigation into the dark world of homosexuality and lesbianism in the country has led to the full exposure of the facial appearances of leading gays in this nation.
The paper alleged to have secured 100 pictures and more were coming in a four-part series.
Delivering the judgment, the High Court judge Justice V.F. Musoke-Kibuuka issued an injunction restraining the paper and its servants from any further publications of the identities of the persons and homes of the applicant and homosexuals generally.
Justice Kibuuka found that the impugned publication threatened the rights of the applicants to respect for human dignity and protection from inhuman treatment and the right to privacy of person and home.
He also ordered the news paper to pay 1,500,000 Uganda Shillings which is equivalent to U S $ 750.00 to each victim as compensation as well as paying legal costs for the applicants.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) believes that the enjoyment to freedom of press and freedom of expression come with a responsibility to protect and promote other people’s rights.
“Regulatory bodies should not be targeting to close down critical media houses or arresting and sacking journalists under duress but they should neutrally enforce the licensing regulations” HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala said.
We applaud court for the judgment because it will bring back the declining state of responsible media.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road at Mengo- Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
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