For immediate release
Soroti, 28th/Feb/2011; Security operatives in Mbale district arrested the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala in a manner that exposed a purported journalist Julius Odeke.
Ssebaggala was arrested at Joint clinic in Soroti Municipality, Eastern Uganda at 3:00pm on Saturday 27th/Feb/2011 shortly after visiting and interviewing Mr. Odeke.
HRNJ-Uganda team was in the region to assess the environment under which journalists operate and the possible support which can be extended to the victims. The team visited districts namely; Bungokho, Mbale and Soroti.
“After an earlier interview with him at the clinic, I rang Odeke to get a telephone contact of a doctor to treat a journalist who had been beaten in Mbale. So he asked me to go back to the clinic. Upon reaching there with a colleague Jennifer Loy Akurut, Odeke pretended to be talking to the doctor but instead calling the security operatives. Shortly, he came with three operatives; one of them identified himself as a police officer and two from Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). He ordered them to arrest me. They ordered me to surrender my cell phone, laptop, camera and notebook”. Narrated Ssebaggala
He adds that, “All this time, Odeke was shouting on top of his voice, accusing me of interfering with his life. He at some point said he could even kill me because he was too disappointed with HRNJ-Uganda which he accused of jeopardizing his relations with the army”.
The arrest and detention inside the clinic lasted about 30minutes. They released me after deleting all the interview materials and photographs I had taken while interviewing Odeke.
“Odeke denied getting any support form HRNJ-Uganda, instead praising the Army which ordered his evacuation from Mbale hospital to Soroti. I later learnt that Odeke had a meeting with army officials a day earlier (0n 25th/Feb/2011) in Soroti town. I believe Odeke is a security plant spying on fellow journalist and the opposition politicians.” Observed Ssebaggala
Odeke claims to work for the Red Pepper publication. He was shot on 18th/Feb/2011 in a scuffle between opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Nandala Mafabi and Minister for the presidency Beatrice Wabudeya for the Budari West parliamentary seat. Mafabi won the seat.
Basing on what happened;
We believe that Mr. Odeke masterminded Mr. Ssebaggala’s arrest with whose actions had intentions to frustrate the efforts of HRNJ-Uganda in its bid to uphold journalists’ rights and freedoms.
We are therefore withdrawing any form of supports towards Mr. Odeke.
HRNJ-Uganda role in promoting human rights;
Genuine journalists are counted as human rights defenders who speak for the poor, oppressed, and the voiceless.
We defend genuine journalists to promote human dignity and human rights especially the right to freedom of expression and freedom of information all of which are inherent.
HRNJ-Uganda would like to re-echo that it has limited resources which we can’t commit to spies who have occupied space at the expense of genuine practitioners.
“The arrest of Mr. Ssebaggala is an insult and invasion to the profession. It must be fought by all stakeholders. We are very concerned about the way security agencies have occupied the operating space for true journalists hence blocking them from accessing good services.” Said HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman Robert Ssempala
HRNJ-Uganda calls on the army to guarantee the safety and security of journalists in Uganda.
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)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Local council chairman and his bouncers beat-up a photojournalist, confiscate his camera
Kampala, 23rd/Feb/2011; Kampala central division chairman Godfrey Amooti Nyakana and his bouncers have rounded up and assaulted a Red Pepper photojournalist Arinaitwe George Sidel over taking photos without their permission.
Arinaitwe is the seventh journalist to be assaulted during the wide-spread violence that characterized the local council five polls for district chairpersons and councilors held today.
Arinaitwe, 26 told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that at 9:30am local time he was alerted about the electoral malpractices by a source at Railway Park polling station along Jinja road and hurried to reach the scene.
He said upon reaching at the scene he found people arguing over the many ballot papers which had been stuffed in the box yet very few people had voted according to the register.
“I started taking photos and immediately a gang of people came, lifted me up and took me to Nyakana who immediately grabbed my camera. I pleaded to him to release my camera but instead his bouncers boxed me in the face and I fell down” Arinaitwe narrated.
HRNJ-Uganda has learnt that despite pleadings from fellow journalists to get back the camera but Nyakana resorted to insults and disappeared with camera on a motorcycle locally referred to as boda bodas. He accused the journalist for taking his photo without his permission
“People should understand that photojournalists are not obligated to seek permission to take a photo of anybody while in a public place. Such an act is a gross abuse of journalists’ rights and freedoms and this is the second time when Nyakana is taking the law his hands” Said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
HRNJ-Uganda demand for the arrest of Nyakana and his bouncers to and brought to justice as a way of reducing high level of impunity in Uganda.
The case has been reported to Kampala Central Police station and a file has been opened.
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
Arinaitwe is the seventh journalist to be assaulted during the wide-spread violence that characterized the local council five polls for district chairpersons and councilors held today.
Arinaitwe, 26 told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that at 9:30am local time he was alerted about the electoral malpractices by a source at Railway Park polling station along Jinja road and hurried to reach the scene.
He said upon reaching at the scene he found people arguing over the many ballot papers which had been stuffed in the box yet very few people had voted according to the register.
“I started taking photos and immediately a gang of people came, lifted me up and took me to Nyakana who immediately grabbed my camera. I pleaded to him to release my camera but instead his bouncers boxed me in the face and I fell down” Arinaitwe narrated.
HRNJ-Uganda has learnt that despite pleadings from fellow journalists to get back the camera but Nyakana resorted to insults and disappeared with camera on a motorcycle locally referred to as boda bodas. He accused the journalist for taking his photo without his permission
“People should understand that photojournalists are not obligated to seek permission to take a photo of anybody while in a public place. Such an act is a gross abuse of journalists’ rights and freedoms and this is the second time when Nyakana is taking the law his hands” Said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
HRNJ-Uganda demand for the arrest of Nyakana and his bouncers to and brought to justice as a way of reducing high level of impunity in Uganda.
The case has been reported to Kampala Central Police station and a file has been opened.
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
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
HRNJ-Uganda Alert; Six journalists beaten, four survive lynching as Ugandans vote for local government councils
Kampala, 23rd/Feb/2011, Stick-wielding hooligans linked to the Kampala mayoral candidate of the ruling NRM party Peter Ssematimba have assaulted six journalists at Kakeeka polling station, Rubaga Parish, Lubaga division in Kampala.
Ugandans on February 23rd were electing the local council five chairperson and district councilors.
Information indicate that the hooligans hatched a plan to beat up journalists as they called media houses that a candidate Peter Ssematimba was going to vote at Kakeeka polling station at 10am and therefore requested for media presence . Peter sematember had voted earlier than the time communicated.
The plan to beat up journalists resulted from wide coverage that was highlighting the election regularities where several ballot boxes were found full with pre-ticked ballot papers favoring Peter Ssematimba the ruling party candidate.
“We were tricked that Ssematimba was going to vote at Kakeeka. Many of us went but reaching there we found hooligans throwing stones at police and polling officials and we started recording” said Nabukeera a victim journalist.
She said the violence sparked off when some supporters questioned the volume of ballots which were stuffed yet there was small number of voter who had turned up.
Among the journalists critically assaulted and beaten up in the line of duty is Nabazziwa Lydia a reporter for Bukedde TV who sustained a serious injury on the right ear and is undergoing an operation at Kololo Hospital. She was beaten up at super FM Radio owned by the Ruling party candidate Peter Ssematimba where there was a report that pre-ticked ballot papers had been dropped in the toilet where she was roughed up.
Nixon Bbaale a camera person with Channel 44 TV survived with a big cut on his head while covering the scuffle at Kakeeka polling station in Lubaga division. He is currently admitted at Mengo hospital in St. Luke Ward one in a critical condition.
Brian Nsimbe a reporter for Channel 44 TV was assaulted and injured one of his arms. He was admitted at Mengo hospital and later discharged.
Nabukeera Florence a reporter with Bukedde FM was violently beaten up at Kakeeka polling station in Rubaga where she had gone to cover Peter Ssematimba a candidate while voting. According to the medical report, she has developed a clot in the left arm which has swollen and is being attended to at Rubaga Hospital.
Namatumbwe Christine a reporter and Luganda News anchor at Metro FM was also roughed up and sustained several injuries on the right arm, her radio recorder, mobile phone and the hand bag were all stolen. She was rushed to Rubaga hospital for medical treatment and later discharged.
The Metro fm Editor Hasfa Namuli told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that by the time of attack, Namatumbwe was reporting live from the polling station about the scuffle between National Resistance Movement-Organization’s candidate Peter Ssematimba and Ssuubi’s candidate Erias Lukwago.
“I found her at the Lubaga hospital in severe pain where she was admitted following injuries on her right arm” said Namuli
Jane Anyango a senior reporter with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Television was violently assaulted at the Kakeeka polling station. Anyango was critically injured in the face, had blood ooze from the mouth, sustained injuries on the leg and has bruises on the buttocks and is in acute pain. She is undergoing treatment at Mayor Clinic.
She told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that victims who were interviewed before had alleged that Ssematimba had hired hooligans to clobber journalists and supporters of rival candidates.
“I saw them armed with sticks with nails and stones to assault us. The hired hooligans were traveling in four taxies to the scene of the crime” said bleeding Anyango.
“We are worried about the escalating cases of violence against journalists in Uganda. This is the highest number of victims we have received since the beginning of electoral process in November in 2010 committed in a day” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
The beating up of journalists occurred in the presence of an armed police constables who looked on as journalists were being assaulted.
In this election, frontline journalists e.g. photographers and camera persons and their tools that were used to document history were majorly targeted following the media coverage that unearthed a lot of election irregularity marred the just concluded presidential and parliamentary elections.
In the meantime, HRNJ-Uganda has also recorded a case where four journalists including Steven Mbidde a journalist with K FM and Michael Kigozi a presenter and reporter with radio One as well as two female journalists from Bukedde TV were cut-off by stick-wielding hooligans at Super fm but police rescued them before the situation had gone out of hands.
The harassment was one of the tools to intimidate journalists as a measure to silence them from covering critical areas referred to as hot spots where election malpractice was suspected to occur.
On Friday the 18th February 2011 during the presidential and parliamentary elections, Julius Odeke a journalist with the Red Pepper and the Razor was shot in the ribs and Gerald Mutembu, a journalist with WBS TV was mobbed up and boxed and his lips shattered.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda condemns such violence subjected to journalists in the strongest term possible and pledge to work with police to ensure that those who were involved in this violence are arrested and brought to justice.
The election that was characterized with ballot stuffing and has since been suspended after it was reported that the process was full of irregularities that were highlighted in the media earlier in the day.
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
Ugandans on February 23rd were electing the local council five chairperson and district councilors.
Information indicate that the hooligans hatched a plan to beat up journalists as they called media houses that a candidate Peter Ssematimba was going to vote at Kakeeka polling station at 10am and therefore requested for media presence . Peter sematember had voted earlier than the time communicated.
The plan to beat up journalists resulted from wide coverage that was highlighting the election regularities where several ballot boxes were found full with pre-ticked ballot papers favoring Peter Ssematimba the ruling party candidate.
“We were tricked that Ssematimba was going to vote at Kakeeka. Many of us went but reaching there we found hooligans throwing stones at police and polling officials and we started recording” said Nabukeera a victim journalist.
She said the violence sparked off when some supporters questioned the volume of ballots which were stuffed yet there was small number of voter who had turned up.
Among the journalists critically assaulted and beaten up in the line of duty is Nabazziwa Lydia a reporter for Bukedde TV who sustained a serious injury on the right ear and is undergoing an operation at Kololo Hospital. She was beaten up at super FM Radio owned by the Ruling party candidate Peter Ssematimba where there was a report that pre-ticked ballot papers had been dropped in the toilet where she was roughed up.
Nixon Bbaale a camera person with Channel 44 TV survived with a big cut on his head while covering the scuffle at Kakeeka polling station in Lubaga division. He is currently admitted at Mengo hospital in St. Luke Ward one in a critical condition.
Brian Nsimbe a reporter for Channel 44 TV was assaulted and injured one of his arms. He was admitted at Mengo hospital and later discharged.
Nabukeera Florence a reporter with Bukedde FM was violently beaten up at Kakeeka polling station in Rubaga where she had gone to cover Peter Ssematimba a candidate while voting. According to the medical report, she has developed a clot in the left arm which has swollen and is being attended to at Rubaga Hospital.
Namatumbwe Christine a reporter and Luganda News anchor at Metro FM was also roughed up and sustained several injuries on the right arm, her radio recorder, mobile phone and the hand bag were all stolen. She was rushed to Rubaga hospital for medical treatment and later discharged.
The Metro fm Editor Hasfa Namuli told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that by the time of attack, Namatumbwe was reporting live from the polling station about the scuffle between National Resistance Movement-Organization’s candidate Peter Ssematimba and Ssuubi’s candidate Erias Lukwago.
“I found her at the Lubaga hospital in severe pain where she was admitted following injuries on her right arm” said Namuli
Jane Anyango a senior reporter with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Television was violently assaulted at the Kakeeka polling station. Anyango was critically injured in the face, had blood ooze from the mouth, sustained injuries on the leg and has bruises on the buttocks and is in acute pain. She is undergoing treatment at Mayor Clinic.
She told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that victims who were interviewed before had alleged that Ssematimba had hired hooligans to clobber journalists and supporters of rival candidates.
“I saw them armed with sticks with nails and stones to assault us. The hired hooligans were traveling in four taxies to the scene of the crime” said bleeding Anyango.
“We are worried about the escalating cases of violence against journalists in Uganda. This is the highest number of victims we have received since the beginning of electoral process in November in 2010 committed in a day” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
The beating up of journalists occurred in the presence of an armed police constables who looked on as journalists were being assaulted.
In this election, frontline journalists e.g. photographers and camera persons and their tools that were used to document history were majorly targeted following the media coverage that unearthed a lot of election irregularity marred the just concluded presidential and parliamentary elections.
In the meantime, HRNJ-Uganda has also recorded a case where four journalists including Steven Mbidde a journalist with K FM and Michael Kigozi a presenter and reporter with radio One as well as two female journalists from Bukedde TV were cut-off by stick-wielding hooligans at Super fm but police rescued them before the situation had gone out of hands.
The harassment was one of the tools to intimidate journalists as a measure to silence them from covering critical areas referred to as hot spots where election malpractice was suspected to occur.
On Friday the 18th February 2011 during the presidential and parliamentary elections, Julius Odeke a journalist with the Red Pepper and the Razor was shot in the ribs and Gerald Mutembu, a journalist with WBS TV was mobbed up and boxed and his lips shattered.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda condemns such violence subjected to journalists in the strongest term possible and pledge to work with police to ensure that those who were involved in this violence are arrested and brought to justice.
The election that was characterized with ballot stuffing and has since been suspended after it was reported that the process was full of irregularities that were highlighted in the media earlier in the day.
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
Saturday, February 19, 2011
A mob trounces on television journalist.
Mbale 18th/Feb/2011; A WBS TV journalist based in Mbale district Gerald Mutembu has been beaten up by a mob allegedly supporting the state minister for Housing Michael Werikhe.
Wavah Broadcasting Service (WBS) television is a privately owned media house based in Uganda’s capital, Kampala
Mutembu who received information about the electoral malpractices rushed to Khamoto trading centre in Bungokho Sub County, Mbale district to ascertain the situation.
“At about 1pm on 18th/Feb/2011, I arrived at the news scene and found groups fighting over the alleged bribery and intimidation of voters by supporters of Werikhe and security operatives clad in civilian clothes” said Mutembu
He said he embarked on filming of the scuffle at the trading center but to his surprise a mob turned against him by grabbing him by the collar, tried to confiscate his camera and during the resistance process, Mutembu was boxed and shuttered his lips leading to bleeding.
“I pleaded with the mob that am only a journalist executing my professional obligations but the beatings continued for over 20minutes,” Mutembu narrated.
Mutembu said he was later rescued by a group of sympathers who whisked him away into a private vehicle. Mutembu then reported the matter to Mbale police station where he recorded a statement and went to hospital where he was diagnosed and got treatment.
Mutembu has therefore told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda that he is waiting to take the matter to court because he has evidence to pursue justice.
HRNJ-Uganda condemns in the strongest term possible the different forms of violence which have been subjected to journalists during this general election. “We are worried at the snail speed the investigations and apprehending of suspects has taken” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
HRNJ Uganda’s legal department will consider taking up the matter failure for the police to act immediately.
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
Wavah Broadcasting Service (WBS) television is a privately owned media house based in Uganda’s capital, Kampala
Mutembu who received information about the electoral malpractices rushed to Khamoto trading centre in Bungokho Sub County, Mbale district to ascertain the situation.
“At about 1pm on 18th/Feb/2011, I arrived at the news scene and found groups fighting over the alleged bribery and intimidation of voters by supporters of Werikhe and security operatives clad in civilian clothes” said Mutembu
He said he embarked on filming of the scuffle at the trading center but to his surprise a mob turned against him by grabbing him by the collar, tried to confiscate his camera and during the resistance process, Mutembu was boxed and shuttered his lips leading to bleeding.
“I pleaded with the mob that am only a journalist executing my professional obligations but the beatings continued for over 20minutes,” Mutembu narrated.
Mutembu said he was later rescued by a group of sympathers who whisked him away into a private vehicle. Mutembu then reported the matter to Mbale police station where he recorded a statement and went to hospital where he was diagnosed and got treatment.
Mutembu has therefore told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda that he is waiting to take the matter to court because he has evidence to pursue justice.
HRNJ-Uganda condemns in the strongest term possible the different forms of violence which have been subjected to journalists during this general election. “We are worried at the snail speed the investigations and apprehending of suspects has taken” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
HRNJ Uganda’s legal department will consider taking up the matter failure for the police to act immediately.
For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Kivebulaya Road – Mengo Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Pre. School
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala
Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: news@hrnjuganda.org
humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com
Journalist shot, under new threats
Mbale, 19th/Feb/2011; A journalist shot by the military yesterday while covering election fracas in Eastern Uganda is receiving arrest threats on his Hospital bed from the security.
Odeke’s brother Onyango told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that they have received information that security is threatening to arrest Odeke so as to confiscate photographic evidence.
Julius Odeke a freelance photographer for both Red Pepper daily publication and Razor publication limited is currently admitted at Mbale Referral hospital nursing bullet wounds after being shot in the ribs by the military personnel yesterday while covering election fracas in Budadiri west, Mbale district in Eastern Uganda.
“I received a tip of soldiers beating up opposition supporters in Budadiri west on the voting day and decided to rush to the scene. On my arrival I took photographs of the military personnel pouncing on opposition Member of Parliament Nandala Mafabi and his entourage” Odeke told HRNJ-Uganda on his hospital bed.
Odeke said his professional work angered security operatives who started demanding for his camera which he resisted but they started beating him up and later sought refuge in Mafabi’s vehicle.
The soldiers then struggled to break the locked door of the vehicle in order to seize Odeke’s camera but in vain. Soldiers resorted to opening fire direct to the occupants of the vehicle from the back and one of the bullets crushed Odeke’s ribs.
The soldiers travelling in several vehicles including those of Government and said to be under the command of the minister in charge of the presidency Beatrice Wabudeya who is also contesting for Budadiri west parliamentary seat.
Unfortunately Odeke’s health condition is worrying with his unstitched bullet wound bleeding endlessly since he has not received adequate medical treatment from his Mbale Hospital bed.
By the time of this alert, police in Mbale was recording a statement from Odeke from the hospital about the security threats.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) challenges police to investigate security personnel involved in the shooting of the journalist and the alleged threats.
Odeke has been evacuated to unknown hospital as a precaution measure to save his life
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
Odeke’s brother Onyango told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that they have received information that security is threatening to arrest Odeke so as to confiscate photographic evidence.
Julius Odeke a freelance photographer for both Red Pepper daily publication and Razor publication limited is currently admitted at Mbale Referral hospital nursing bullet wounds after being shot in the ribs by the military personnel yesterday while covering election fracas in Budadiri west, Mbale district in Eastern Uganda.
“I received a tip of soldiers beating up opposition supporters in Budadiri west on the voting day and decided to rush to the scene. On my arrival I took photographs of the military personnel pouncing on opposition Member of Parliament Nandala Mafabi and his entourage” Odeke told HRNJ-Uganda on his hospital bed.
Odeke said his professional work angered security operatives who started demanding for his camera which he resisted but they started beating him up and later sought refuge in Mafabi’s vehicle.
The soldiers then struggled to break the locked door of the vehicle in order to seize Odeke’s camera but in vain. Soldiers resorted to opening fire direct to the occupants of the vehicle from the back and one of the bullets crushed Odeke’s ribs.
The soldiers travelling in several vehicles including those of Government and said to be under the command of the minister in charge of the presidency Beatrice Wabudeya who is also contesting for Budadiri west parliamentary seat.
Unfortunately Odeke’s health condition is worrying with his unstitched bullet wound bleeding endlessly since he has not received adequate medical treatment from his Mbale Hospital bed.
By the time of this alert, police in Mbale was recording a statement from Odeke from the hospital about the security threats.
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) challenges police to investigate security personnel involved in the shooting of the journalist and the alleged threats.
Odeke has been evacuated to unknown hospital as a precaution measure to save his life
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
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Uganda government has derelict the Universal Periodic Review process
For Press Release,
The Ugandan government should engage in consultation with civil society for its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights that is due to the United Nations later this year, said the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).
HRNJ-Uganda is concerned about the government’s delay in setting up a national consultation process with various stakeholders as is required to ensure that the state’s report accurately reflects the human rights situation in Uganda. Although we understand that the NRM government is paying more attention to the February 18 general elections, there is a need to fulfill its obligations as a member state of the United Nations.
The UPR is a mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council through which the human rights situation in every country in the UN is reviewed on a four-year basis. Uganda’s review is in November, meaning the state report must be submitted this summer.
HRNJ-Uganda sent a representative to Geneva to attend the 10th session of the UPR and lobby member states to engage with Uganda in its review. HRNJ noted that Uganda faces a number of challenges, including the failure to hold national consultations and the absence of the Ugandan mission during the 10th session to participate in the reviews of other states.
HRNJ-Uganda fears that Uganda’s failure to attend UPR sittings regularly might portray her as a country with less involvement in auditing other countries performance.
“As HRNJ-Uganda we strongly expect recommendations on key human rights issues, especially on the growing levels of impunity, laws that criminalize speech and expression as well as shrinking space for the media and other people with divergent views,” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala, who attended the UPR in Geneva last week.
HRNJ-Uganda team met several countries to urge them to press Uganda on the consultative process and raise issues related to freedom of expression during Uganda’s UPR. These included the United States, Great Britain, and The Netherlands among others from Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
It is clear that Uganda lacks the political will to commit money to the UPR process.
We therefore recommend that;
Government should quickly allocate funds for the UPR national consultations and clearly assign it to a specific ministry to ensure implementation.
The foreign affairs ministry should explain the absence of the Uganda mission during the UPR 10th session and more so discipline those responsible.
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 Ugandan government should engage in consultation with civil society for its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights that is due to the United Nations later this year, said the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).
HRNJ-Uganda is concerned about the government’s delay in setting up a national consultation process with various stakeholders as is required to ensure that the state’s report accurately reflects the human rights situation in Uganda. Although we understand that the NRM government is paying more attention to the February 18 general elections, there is a need to fulfill its obligations as a member state of the United Nations.
The UPR is a mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council through which the human rights situation in every country in the UN is reviewed on a four-year basis. Uganda’s review is in November, meaning the state report must be submitted this summer.
HRNJ-Uganda sent a representative to Geneva to attend the 10th session of the UPR and lobby member states to engage with Uganda in its review. HRNJ noted that Uganda faces a number of challenges, including the failure to hold national consultations and the absence of the Ugandan mission during the 10th session to participate in the reviews of other states.
HRNJ-Uganda fears that Uganda’s failure to attend UPR sittings regularly might portray her as a country with less involvement in auditing other countries performance.
“As HRNJ-Uganda we strongly expect recommendations on key human rights issues, especially on the growing levels of impunity, laws that criminalize speech and expression as well as shrinking space for the media and other people with divergent views,” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala, who attended the UPR in Geneva last week.
HRNJ-Uganda team met several countries to urge them to press Uganda on the consultative process and raise issues related to freedom of expression during Uganda’s UPR. These included the United States, Great Britain, and The Netherlands among others from Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
It is clear that Uganda lacks the political will to commit money to the UPR process.
We therefore recommend that;
Government should quickly allocate funds for the UPR national consultations and clearly assign it to a specific ministry to ensure implementation.
The foreign affairs ministry should explain the absence of the Uganda mission during the UPR 10th session and more so discipline those responsible.
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
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thirty-four IFEX members urge President Museveni to respect press freedom in lead-up to general elections
Joint action - Uganda
15 February 2011
Thirty-four IFEX members urge President Museveni to respect press freedom in lead-up to general elections
SOURCE: Human Rights Network for Journalists, Committee to Protect Journalists
(HRNJ-Uganda/CPJ/IFEX) - 15 February 2011 - IFEX members are concerned that journalists have been threatened and assaulted, opposition parties have been denied access to the media and draft legislation threatens to restrict the right to free speech and peaceful assembly:
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda
State House
P.O. Box 24594, Kampala
Fax: +256 414 256143
E-mail: secretary@op.go.ug
We, the undersigned freedom of expression organisations, are alarmed by the decreasing space for the voices of journalists and opposition parties during the run-up to the 18 February 2011 general elections in Uganda.
Violations of freedom of expression have plagued the electoral process in the country since November 2010 when campaigning officially began. Journalists have been threatened and assaulted, opposition parties have been denied access to the media and draft legislation threatens to restrict the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. We urgently call on the authorities to immediately investigate all attacks on journalists and media workers and we urge media houses to adhere to licensing obligations of providing equal opportunities to all election candidates and to respect freedom of expression.
At least 10 journalists have been assaulted in election-related incidents since November 2010, reports Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda). For example, journalist Michael Kakumirizi of "Red Pepper" was assaulted on 19 January 2011 by supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), in Alebeatong. On 20 January, journalist Issa Aliga of NTV and editor Ssozi Ssekimpi of Top Radio Masaka were both assaulted by Sauda Namagwa, the Masaka district Member of Parliament.
Furthermore, on 17 December 2010 journalist Drake Kizito was beaten by supporters of Peter Claver Mutuluza, the NRM parliamentary candidate running in the Mawokoa North constituency. Most disturbing is the case of journalist Arafat Nzito of Radio Simba who was detained for a week, assaulted and then dumped in a suburb of Kampala by security agents. Nzito, who often reported news from the leading opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), went missing on 4 November 2010. Charges were never laid, and Nzito has yet to receive an explanation for his detention. All of these abuses were committed with impunity.
In addition to these assaults, journalists critical of the current government, or those who provide a platform for voices of opposition parties are facing censorship, threats and detention. Journalist James Kasirivu was suspended in December 2010 by the Mbarara-based Edigito Radio for reporting on an opinion poll that suggested a clear victory for the FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye. Mustapha Mugisa and Samuel Ssejjaaka, respectively the chief executive officer and editor of the "Summit Business Review" magazine, were arrested on 11 January 2011 by security operatives and detained by police in relation to their publication of a cartoon image of President Museveni on the cover of the magazine.
Opposition candidates themselves are being silenced by private radio stations that are denying them the opportunity to be interviewed or to share their views, even when such spaces are paid for. FDC leader Dr. Besigye has faced numerous obstacles accessing the media. On 2 January 2011, he was turned away from appearing on Radio Kitara, Spice FM and Kings Radio; all three stations are owned by ruling party supporters. In Nakaseke district, Besigye paid for space on a community radio talk show, but found the station locked and surrounded by anti-riot police when he arrived.
These incidents demonstrate that media houses are not adhering to their licensing obligations that include providing an equal platform to all candidates and promoting freedom of expression. This also shows that the obligations are not being enforced by the Broadcasting Council, whose role it is to insure there is no political interference in the media.
Also problematic to freedom of expression and assembly is the draft 2009 Public Order Management Bill that is pending to be tabled in parliament. The intention of the Bill is to regulate the conduct of public gatherings, and grants the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Minister of Internal Affairs wide discretionary and unjustifiable powers over the management of public meetings, meaning that people wishing to hold public gatherings would have to seek permission from the IGP. If passed in its current form the implications of the Bill would be far reaching; it would impact the operation of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, academic and professional institutions. The bill violates a number of provisions of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, notably the right to freedom of assembly and to demonstrate freely. It not only infringes on the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, but also those in the African Charter on Human & People's Rights, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
We therefore demand that:
• the authorities immediately investigate the attacks on all journalists and that those found guilty of targeting the media are brought to justice without delay;
• media houses adhere to licensing obligations of providing equal opportunities to all election candidates and their responsibilities of promoting the right to freedom of expression;
• the Broadcasting Council promptly investigate cases of abuse and political interference by media owners;
• Members of Parliament vote against the proposed Public Order Management Bill, which in its current form has far-reaching negative implications for civil society and freedom of expression and assembly in Uganda.
Signed,
For more information:
Human Rights Network for Journalists - INTERIM MEMBER
Kivebulaya Road at Mengo - Bulange Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box 71314 Clock Tower
Kampala, Uganda
info (@) hrnjuganda.org
Phone: +256 414 667627 / +256 701 810079
http://www.hrnjuganda.org
Committee to Protect Journalists
330 7th Ave., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
USA
info (@) cpj.org
Phone: +1 212 465 1004
Fax: +1 212 465 9568
http://www.cpj.org
Adil Soz - International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression
Association of Independent Electronic Media
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Cartoonists Rights Network International
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building
Comité por la Libre Expresión
Ethiopian Freepress Journalists' Association
Freedom House
Free Media Movement
Globe International
Hong Kong Journalists Association
Independent Journalism Center
Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information
Institute of Mass Information
International Federation of Journalists
International Press Institute
Maharat Foundation (Skills Foundation)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Media Foundation for West Africa
Media Institute
Media Institute of Southern Africa
National Press Association - INTERIM MEMBER
Pacific Freedom Forum
Pacific Islands News Association
Pakistan Press Foundation
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms
Privacy International
Reporters Without Borders
15 February 2011
Thirty-four IFEX members urge President Museveni to respect press freedom in lead-up to general elections
SOURCE: Human Rights Network for Journalists, Committee to Protect Journalists
(HRNJ-Uganda/CPJ/IFEX) - 15 February 2011 - IFEX members are concerned that journalists have been threatened and assaulted, opposition parties have been denied access to the media and draft legislation threatens to restrict the right to free speech and peaceful assembly:
H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda
State House
P.O. Box 24594, Kampala
Fax: +256 414 256143
E-mail: secretary@op.go.ug
We, the undersigned freedom of expression organisations, are alarmed by the decreasing space for the voices of journalists and opposition parties during the run-up to the 18 February 2011 general elections in Uganda.
Violations of freedom of expression have plagued the electoral process in the country since November 2010 when campaigning officially began. Journalists have been threatened and assaulted, opposition parties have been denied access to the media and draft legislation threatens to restrict the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. We urgently call on the authorities to immediately investigate all attacks on journalists and media workers and we urge media houses to adhere to licensing obligations of providing equal opportunities to all election candidates and to respect freedom of expression.
At least 10 journalists have been assaulted in election-related incidents since November 2010, reports Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda). For example, journalist Michael Kakumirizi of "Red Pepper" was assaulted on 19 January 2011 by supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), in Alebeatong. On 20 January, journalist Issa Aliga of NTV and editor Ssozi Ssekimpi of Top Radio Masaka were both assaulted by Sauda Namagwa, the Masaka district Member of Parliament.
Furthermore, on 17 December 2010 journalist Drake Kizito was beaten by supporters of Peter Claver Mutuluza, the NRM parliamentary candidate running in the Mawokoa North constituency. Most disturbing is the case of journalist Arafat Nzito of Radio Simba who was detained for a week, assaulted and then dumped in a suburb of Kampala by security agents. Nzito, who often reported news from the leading opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), went missing on 4 November 2010. Charges were never laid, and Nzito has yet to receive an explanation for his detention. All of these abuses were committed with impunity.
In addition to these assaults, journalists critical of the current government, or those who provide a platform for voices of opposition parties are facing censorship, threats and detention. Journalist James Kasirivu was suspended in December 2010 by the Mbarara-based Edigito Radio for reporting on an opinion poll that suggested a clear victory for the FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye. Mustapha Mugisa and Samuel Ssejjaaka, respectively the chief executive officer and editor of the "Summit Business Review" magazine, were arrested on 11 January 2011 by security operatives and detained by police in relation to their publication of a cartoon image of President Museveni on the cover of the magazine.
Opposition candidates themselves are being silenced by private radio stations that are denying them the opportunity to be interviewed or to share their views, even when such spaces are paid for. FDC leader Dr. Besigye has faced numerous obstacles accessing the media. On 2 January 2011, he was turned away from appearing on Radio Kitara, Spice FM and Kings Radio; all three stations are owned by ruling party supporters. In Nakaseke district, Besigye paid for space on a community radio talk show, but found the station locked and surrounded by anti-riot police when he arrived.
These incidents demonstrate that media houses are not adhering to their licensing obligations that include providing an equal platform to all candidates and promoting freedom of expression. This also shows that the obligations are not being enforced by the Broadcasting Council, whose role it is to insure there is no political interference in the media.
Also problematic to freedom of expression and assembly is the draft 2009 Public Order Management Bill that is pending to be tabled in parliament. The intention of the Bill is to regulate the conduct of public gatherings, and grants the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Minister of Internal Affairs wide discretionary and unjustifiable powers over the management of public meetings, meaning that people wishing to hold public gatherings would have to seek permission from the IGP. If passed in its current form the implications of the Bill would be far reaching; it would impact the operation of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, academic and professional institutions. The bill violates a number of provisions of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, notably the right to freedom of assembly and to demonstrate freely. It not only infringes on the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, but also those in the African Charter on Human & People's Rights, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
We therefore demand that:
• the authorities immediately investigate the attacks on all journalists and that those found guilty of targeting the media are brought to justice without delay;
• media houses adhere to licensing obligations of providing equal opportunities to all election candidates and their responsibilities of promoting the right to freedom of expression;
• the Broadcasting Council promptly investigate cases of abuse and political interference by media owners;
• Members of Parliament vote against the proposed Public Order Management Bill, which in its current form has far-reaching negative implications for civil society and freedom of expression and assembly in Uganda.
Signed,
For more information:
Human Rights Network for Journalists - INTERIM MEMBER
Kivebulaya Road at Mengo - Bulange Kampala Opp. St. Marcelino Preparatory School
P.O.Box 71314 Clock Tower
Kampala, Uganda
info (@) hrnjuganda.org
Phone: +256 414 667627 / +256 701 810079
http://www.hrnjuganda.org
Committee to Protect Journalists
330 7th Ave., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
USA
info (@) cpj.org
Phone: +1 212 465 1004
Fax: +1 212 465 9568
http://www.cpj.org
Adil Soz - International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech
ARTICLE 19: Global Campaign for Free Expression
Association of Independent Electronic Media
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
Cartoonists Rights Network International
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Center for Media Studies & Peace Building
Comité por la Libre Expresión
Ethiopian Freepress Journalists' Association
Freedom House
Free Media Movement
Globe International
Hong Kong Journalists Association
Independent Journalism Center
Institute for the Studies on Free Flow of Information
Institute of Mass Information
International Federation of Journalists
International Press Institute
Maharat Foundation (Skills Foundation)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
Media Foundation for West Africa
Media Institute
Media Institute of Southern Africa
National Press Association - INTERIM MEMBER
Pacific Freedom Forum
Pacific Islands News Association
Pakistan Press Foundation
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms
Privacy International
Reporters Without Borders
Sunday, February 13, 2011
President Museveni petitioned over harassment of NTV-U journalist
February 11, 2011
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda
Tel: 256-41-343 311
Fax: 256-41-346 102
Email: aak@statehouse.go.ug
Your Excellency,
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), an independent non-governmental institution committed to promoting and defending freedom of expression, is concerned about the detention of Masaka based NTV Uganda correspondent Issa Aliga by the Special Forces Group (the bigger presidential protection unit SFG) for filming a scuffle involving Rwemiyaga area Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo ahead of President Museveni’s campaign rally.
According to Human Rights Network of Journalists (HRNJ), the scuffle ensued after SFG blocked MP Ssekikubo from pinning his banner, 300meters away from Mr. Museveni’s campaign venue. Ssekikubo is an incumbent MP for Rwemiyaga County seeking re-election on the National Resistance Movement-Organization part chaired by Museveni.
Aliga was reached at Rwemiyaga trading center in Ssembabule district at around 11:15pm. While filming he was roughed up and man-handled by four Special Force Guards personnel who confiscated his camera. He was pushed here and there on accusation of filming an event without permission. He was taken to their bus and interrogated for some minutes. After interrogation, he was released and his pleas to get his camera back fail on deaf ears. He was then ordered to go through the usual security checks and attend a campaign rally like any other voters. His mobile phone was also switched off.
PPF condemns such an inhumane treatment of a journalist in the strongest term possible and urges the government to investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice in the shortest period of time possible.
I thank you for your attention and will welcome your comments.
Yours sincerely,
Owais Aslam Ali
Secretary General
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Press Centre
Shahrah Kamal Ataturk
Karachi
Pakistan
Tel: +92 21 3263-3215
Fax: +92-21 3221-7069
Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Web: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda
Tel: 256-41-343 311
Fax: 256-41-346 102
Email: aak@statehouse.go.ug
Your Excellency,
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), an independent non-governmental institution committed to promoting and defending freedom of expression, is concerned about the detention of Masaka based NTV Uganda correspondent Issa Aliga by the Special Forces Group (the bigger presidential protection unit SFG) for filming a scuffle involving Rwemiyaga area Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo ahead of President Museveni’s campaign rally.
According to Human Rights Network of Journalists (HRNJ), the scuffle ensued after SFG blocked MP Ssekikubo from pinning his banner, 300meters away from Mr. Museveni’s campaign venue. Ssekikubo is an incumbent MP for Rwemiyaga County seeking re-election on the National Resistance Movement-Organization part chaired by Museveni.
Aliga was reached at Rwemiyaga trading center in Ssembabule district at around 11:15pm. While filming he was roughed up and man-handled by four Special Force Guards personnel who confiscated his camera. He was pushed here and there on accusation of filming an event without permission. He was taken to their bus and interrogated for some minutes. After interrogation, he was released and his pleas to get his camera back fail on deaf ears. He was then ordered to go through the usual security checks and attend a campaign rally like any other voters. His mobile phone was also switched off.
PPF condemns such an inhumane treatment of a journalist in the strongest term possible and urges the government to investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice in the shortest period of time possible.
I thank you for your attention and will welcome your comments.
Yours sincerely,
Owais Aslam Ali
Secretary General
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Press Centre
Shahrah Kamal Ataturk
Karachi
Pakistan
Tel: +92 21 3263-3215
Fax: +92-21 3221-7069
Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Web: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org
Friday, February 11, 2011
Special Forces group arrests a journalist, camera confiscated
Masaka, 10th/Feb/2011, Masaka based NTV Uganda correspondent Issa Aliga has been detained by the Special Forces Group (SFG) for filming a scuffle involving Rwemiyaga area Member of Parliament Theodore Ssekikubo ahead of President Museveni’s campaign rally.
Special Forces Group is part of the bigger presidential protection unit.
According to an eye witness, the scuffle ensued after SFG blocked MP Ssekikubo from pinning his banner, 300meters away from Mr. Museveni’s campaign venue.
Ssekikubo is an incumbent MP for Rwemiyaga County seeking re-election on the National Resistance Movement-Organization part chaired by Museveni.
Aliga who was late January 2011 assaulted by MP Sauda Namagwa told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that when he reached at Rwemiyaga trading center in Ssembabule district at around 11:15pm, he found a charged crowd which seemed fighting and jumped out of the vehicle to start filming.
“While filming I was roughed up and man-handled by four Special Force Guards personnel who confiscated my camera. I was pushed here and there on accusation of filming an event without permission. I was taken to their bus and interrogated for some minutes after introducing myself to them” Narrated Aliga.
He said after interrogation, he was released and his pleas to get his camera back fail on deaf ears. He was then ordered to go through the usual security checks and attend a campaign rally like any other voters.
Efforts from HRNJ-Uganda to talk to SFG spokesperson Capt. Edison Kwesiga were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
HRNJ-Uganda has received information to the effect that SFG has barred Aliga from attending Museveni’s rallies following his (Aliga) refusal to record a forced statement.
“Aliga becomes the second journalist to be subjected to such cruel treatment after Red Pepper freelance reporter Kits Mabonga during this same election period. Why aren’t those errant soldiers who survive on tax payers’ money be brought to justice” wondered HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
HRNJ-Uganda condemns such an inhumane treatment of a journalist in the strongest term possible and challenges police to investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice in the shortest period of time possible.
Failure HRNJ-Uganda will not hesitate to seek legal redress using other means.
Aliga’s camera was however returned late in the evening with deleted video clips.
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
Special Forces Group is part of the bigger presidential protection unit.
According to an eye witness, the scuffle ensued after SFG blocked MP Ssekikubo from pinning his banner, 300meters away from Mr. Museveni’s campaign venue.
Ssekikubo is an incumbent MP for Rwemiyaga County seeking re-election on the National Resistance Movement-Organization part chaired by Museveni.
Aliga who was late January 2011 assaulted by MP Sauda Namagwa told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that when he reached at Rwemiyaga trading center in Ssembabule district at around 11:15pm, he found a charged crowd which seemed fighting and jumped out of the vehicle to start filming.
“While filming I was roughed up and man-handled by four Special Force Guards personnel who confiscated my camera. I was pushed here and there on accusation of filming an event without permission. I was taken to their bus and interrogated for some minutes after introducing myself to them” Narrated Aliga.
He said after interrogation, he was released and his pleas to get his camera back fail on deaf ears. He was then ordered to go through the usual security checks and attend a campaign rally like any other voters.
Efforts from HRNJ-Uganda to talk to SFG spokesperson Capt. Edison Kwesiga were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
HRNJ-Uganda has received information to the effect that SFG has barred Aliga from attending Museveni’s rallies following his (Aliga) refusal to record a forced statement.
“Aliga becomes the second journalist to be subjected to such cruel treatment after Red Pepper freelance reporter Kits Mabonga during this same election period. Why aren’t those errant soldiers who survive on tax payers’ money be brought to justice” wondered HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.
HRNJ-Uganda condemns such an inhumane treatment of a journalist in the strongest term possible and challenges police to investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice in the shortest period of time possible.
Failure HRNJ-Uganda will not hesitate to seek legal redress using other means.
Aliga’s camera was however returned late in the evening with deleted video clips.
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
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
HRNJ-Uganda administrative offices vandalized.
Kampala, 7th/Feb/2011; The offices of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda have been broken into by unknown people and vandalized of equipments used in the daily activities of the organization.
The offices are located at Kivebulya road, at Mengo, in Rubaga division, Kampala district in the central part of the country.
“We have since established that a computer, two printers, a DVD player and an office chair are some of the lost properties in the 7th/Feb/2011 night break-in.” Said the organization Board Chairperson Robert Ssempala.
The break-in was first noticed by a resident who alerted the HRNJ-Uganda administration.
“I was alerted by a night phone call on Saturday 8th/Feb/2011 by one of our neighbors after seeing that the door rock had been broken. I rushed to the offices the next day and found out that our equipments had been stolen”. Said Liz Nalubega the HRNJ-Uganda office administrator.
HRNJ-Uganda is a journalists’ organization in Uganda that advocates for their rights through advocacy, monitoring and documentation and offer litigation, among others.
“It is not yet clear whether this was an ordinary break into or a politically motivated one” Observed Ssempala.
This comes just two months since HRNJ-Uganda lost a laptop in a break into the programmes coordinator’ house at night. In the same incident two mobile phones were stolen.
HRNJ-Uganda has reported the matter to police at Lubaga which has embarked on investigating the case.
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 offices are located at Kivebulya road, at Mengo, in Rubaga division, Kampala district in the central part of the country.
“We have since established that a computer, two printers, a DVD player and an office chair are some of the lost properties in the 7th/Feb/2011 night break-in.” Said the organization Board Chairperson Robert Ssempala.
The break-in was first noticed by a resident who alerted the HRNJ-Uganda administration.
“I was alerted by a night phone call on Saturday 8th/Feb/2011 by one of our neighbors after seeing that the door rock had been broken. I rushed to the offices the next day and found out that our equipments had been stolen”. Said Liz Nalubega the HRNJ-Uganda office administrator.
HRNJ-Uganda is a journalists’ organization in Uganda that advocates for their rights through advocacy, monitoring and documentation and offer litigation, among others.
“It is not yet clear whether this was an ordinary break into or a politically motivated one” Observed Ssempala.
This comes just two months since HRNJ-Uganda lost a laptop in a break into the programmes coordinator’ house at night. In the same incident two mobile phones were stolen.
HRNJ-Uganda has reported the matter to police at Lubaga which has embarked on investigating the case.
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
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