Journalist remanded to prison

 Kampala, 12th/08/2011, embattled journalist Augustine Okello has missed to take a plea again on treason charges against him over absenting magistrate. This is the second time after 1st/Aug/2011 when Okello first appeared before grade one magistrate Grace Balintuma who read charges and remanded him to Luzira prison.

 Sources say “that Okello was supposed to appear before chief magistrate who is currently away on official duties”. Although Okello has been remanded until 25th/Aug/2011, the defense lawyer Adam Makmot Kibwanga is screaming foul over failure to access the case file.

 Before the case was adjourned, Makmot requested court to order the state to avail the file but he was advised to make such a prayer to the presiding judge. However, the state prosecutor Happiness Ainebyona revealed that the file was not yet with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and that she had only court proceedings on the file.

 "Such behavior is meant to frustrate us and deny us access to judicial processes.Am going to write to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to avail us the file failure this matter will be taken to a higher court "said defense lawyer Makmot.

 Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) calls upon the judiciary to consider circumstances under which Okello was arrested and how he was brought to court so that his case can be expeditiously handled.

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