Masaka, 2nd/Dec/2011: Masaka prison warders have arrested
and briefly detained four journalists for photographing the poor conditions and
the dire state of the prisons.
The four
journalists arrested include; Margaret Kayondo – Ssuubi fm correspondent in
Masaka, Lubuuka Ali Ggoloba and Ezekeri Ssekweyama both working with Masaka
based radio Buddu and Hanifah Namuwonge working for Bukedde a Luganda paper.
The four
journalists had been invited by the Southern Buganda regional Prisons Officer
Julius Asiimwe to cover the World Aids Day celebrations that were marked at
Masaka prison on 1st/Dec/2011.
Human Rights
Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has leant that the Officer in
Charge (O/C) Masaka prison, Simon Wansadha ordered the arrest of the journalists
after they took photos of the interiors of one ward whose hygiene was in dire
state and sick inmates who were allegedly not treated among others.
The
journalists were part of a group that toured the prison led by Irish Ambassador
Anne Webster who was the chief guest.
Sources told
HRNJ-Uganda that when the journalists were moving out of the prison premises, prison
warders arrested them on the orders of O/C Wansadha, and detained them all in
one room and their cameras were confiscated.
Namuwonge
one of the victims told HRNJ-Uganda that male prison warders wanted to mount a search
on them but they insisted demanding for fellow women wardens adding that even
their hand bags were confiscated.
“We were
released after one hour of unlawful detention but our cameras were missing.
Upon release we stormed O/C Wansadha demanding for our cameras and an explanation
for detaining us. He later returned our cameras with some photos erased” Said
Namuwonge
She added
that they want to see O/C Wansadha and his team apprehended for their wrong
deeds.
HRNJ-Uganda contacted O/C Wansadha to get his side
of the story but he denied knowledge of harassing journalists.
“Such
actions are the sole reason why freedom of expression and the press continue to
be undermined in Uganda and there’s a need to deal with it straight way. It’s
very clear that O/C Wansadha over stepped his mandate and the only way to fight
this kind of impunity therefore is to hold him in his individual capacity liable
for his wrong deeds.
HRNJ-Uganda
has taken up the matter through its lawyers who will ensure that O/C Wansadha
is punished.
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
Website: www.hrnjuganda.org
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