POLICE BEAT UP JOURNALISTS TWICE IN A WEEK’S TIME.

Kampala, 28^th/March/2012; Police have beaten up three journalists who were covering the release on bail of the opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. The victims were Siraje Lubwama a journalist with The Observer –a private news publication that comes out thrice a week, Joseph Mutebi who works for the government’ daily vernacular paper Bukedde and Hasifah Wanyana a court reporter for the private Kingdom FM radio.

The incident happened within the vicinity of the High Court in Kampala from where Besigye and others had been granted bail on charges of murdering an Assistant Inspector of Police John Bosco Ariong whose death the police blame on the political opposition members.

The attack on journalists comes barely a week since a freelance photographer Edward Echwalu and Anatoli Luswa a photographer for the private Eddoboozi newspaper fell victim to the police brutality, while a human rights lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi was roughed up and blocked from accessing the Central Police Station (CPS) premises to defend his clients.

Two of the journalists Siraje Lubwama and Joseph Mutebi accuse the Regional Traffic Police commander for Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Lawrence Niwabiine of leading the attack on them.

Lubwama told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that he was slapped by Niwabiine when spotted him taking down notes in his notebook.

“There was an exchange going on between Besigye and the police over which route to use. When I got out my notebook to take down notes, Niwabiine charged at me and asked me what I was writing down. He slapped me in the face when I told him that I was a journalist and showed him my press identity card. Two policemen grabbed me from behind and dragged me to the CPS from where others joined them and started kicking, slapping and hauling insults at me. One of them cheered on others saying that beat him since there are no cameras inside here. In the incident, I lost my money and had my three cell phone handsets shattered. I was rescued by a Daily Monitor journalist Chris Obore, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda the MP for Kyaddondo East and the KMP commandant Andrew Felix Kaweesi. But after the three had gone, the policemen came and beat me again and mixed me up with the other arrested people” Lubwama told HRNJ-Uganda.

He was freed by Kaweesi who told him to report to the police later and make a statement. Lubwama said that he was feeling a lot of pain in the back, limbs and head which were the most targeted parts.

Another Victim journalist, Joseph Mutebi told HRNJ-Uganda that he was slapped and hit with a baton by the police.

“I saw the police beating up the Mayor of Kawempe division, Munyagwa Mubarak, as I started to take photos, I heard Niwabiine ordering his men to clear me out of the way, and he mentioned my name, he immediately approached and slapped me hard in the face. He ordered another policeman to take care of me; the policeman hit me with a baton on my right hand. Niwabiine knows me very well because I have been covering crime news for the last eight years. He would even call me to cover his traffic operations. Another police officer Mwesigwa Onesmus pleaded for mercy for me.  After the incident, I went to CPS to open up a case but the police at the reception declined, then I went to rooms 41 and 42 which also declined. But later on went to Kaweesi who calmed me down.” Mutebi narrated to HRNJ-Uganda.

The third victim was Hasifah Wanyana of Kingdom FM radio. She told HRNJ-Uganda that her attack took her by surprise and just decided to sit down.

“The attack was an abrupt one. I can’t tell where the men came from. We were many journalists trying to record the exchange between Besigye and the police, and then policemen swarmed us. They were holding batons. I was beaten with a stick on the thighs by a policeman. I sat down and pleaded for mercy. I was holding an audio recorder which I managed to protect. It’s the journalists who came to my rescue. I can’t report to police after all they are the ones attacking us.” She told HRNJ-Uganda.

“HRNJ-Uganda condemns the attack on journalists and the media by state agents. These are targeted beatings on the journalists and the pattern is very worrying to press freedom in the country.The police have a duty to protect all people including journalists. So this is the worst conduct exhibited by the police. We call upon the Inspector General of Police and the relevant ministry of internal affairs to respect the freedom of the media to report on all matters including those by the opposition politicians.”

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 ROUGH UP HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE, BEAT JOURNALISTS COVERING BESIGYE ARREST.

Kampala, 22^nd/ March/ 2012; Police in Kampala beat up journalists who were covering the arrest of opposition politicians. A freelance photographer Edward Echwalu and Anatoli Luswa a photographer for the private Eddoboozi newspaper were the victims of the police brutality. Police also roughed up a Human Rights lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzi and blocked him from accessing his clients at the Central Police Station (CPS).

The police were arresting opposition politicians including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, Kampala  woman member of parliament Nabbilah Naggayi, Lord mayor Erias Lukwago and FDC women league leader Ingrid Turinawe among others. Police was stopping them and their supporters from touring the city road network. In the resultant chaos as police fired tear gas and some demonstrators retaliated by throwing stones, an Assistant Inspector of Police John Bosco Ariong was critically injured, bled profusely and later died of the head injuries while being rushed to hospital, according to the deputy police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba.

Echwalu is a freelance photojournalist who works for Reuters and The Observer –a private news publication that comes out thrice a week. He told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that four police men descended on him and started beating him from behind in a scuffle that lasted for over a minute. He was the first journalist to get to Kiira from where Besigye had been detained.

“I had just arrived at Kiira road police station when I heard an order to chase me away. As I was getting my camera from the bag, four policemen started beating me from behind. Three of them were using batons while another used his gun butt. They were not willing to look at my press identity card. They were scared away by the arrival of opposition parliamentary members on the scene. The four were immediately withdrawn from the quarter guard and taken behind, but I managed to take their photos. They had no name tags or police identification numbers on their police uniforms.” Echwalu told HRNJ-Uganda.

With the intervention of the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda (FCAU) to which Echwalu is a member, he was allowed to enter the police and report a case. He was bruised on his right arm and shoulder and currently is experiencing grave pain on his back and arm which he used to protect his camera.

In a separate incident, Police officers beat Luswa on his back and right arm with sticks outside the gate of Kampala's CPS.  Luswa was the first to arrive at the scene and there were no other reporters to cover the incident at the time. He was beaten by two policemen in front of CPS gate as he was taking photos of policemen beating up a man.

“I was photographing policemen beating up a man outside the CPS. Two policemen grabbed me from behind asking why I was taking photos. They started beating me up as I introduced myself as a journalist and produced my press identity card but they continued beating me as they tried to grab my camera which I successfully protected. They beat me for about seven minutes until they saw a group of journalists arriving and coming to my rescue. The policemen ran towards the CPS but I managed to get their photos.” Luswa told HRNJ-Uganda.

He sustained bruises and severe pain, and got treatment from a medical clinic in town.

In a related development, a Kampala human rights advocate Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi was roughed up at CPS and blocked from accessing his clients who had been arrested by police. He told HRNJ-Uganda that his clients included Dr. Besigye, Erias Lukwago, Nabbilah Naggayi, Ingrid Turinawe and the Kawempe division mayor Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga.

He said that despite introducing himself as an advocate for the arrested persons, the police still chased him away and he left without accessing his clients two hours later.

“I got there at around 03:40PM local time. I introduced myself as an advocate for the arrested persons but they forcefully pushed me away. When I explained that the arrested persons had a right to their lawyers, they replied that they had suspended the Constitution which provides for that. They told me to wait outside until 05:00PM, which I did, but even then, they denied me entry until 05:30PM when I left the place. They were many policemen armed with guns. They did not act constitutionally.” Rwakafuuzi told HRNJ-Uganda.

“These are all very serious incidents against the media and human rights activists. Worse still they are happening at the hands of the police and security agencies that are supposed to be their protectors. It clearly shows that the media space is shrinking and sinking by the day especially for journalists covering activities carried out by the opposition. We challenge the police to impartially investigate these targeted attacks and bring the perpetrators to book. We also call upon the Ugandan parliament to intervene in the matter to secure the working environment for journalists” Said the Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

For more Information contact:

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

CBS JOURNALIST CHARGED FROM A LAW BEING CONTESTED IN THE SUPREME COURT.

Kalangala, 21^st/March/2012; Court in Kalangala has charged a Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) journalist Ronald Ssembuusi with criminal defamation, a law which is being challenged in the Supreme Court of Uganda.

Daniel Kikoola the former Kalangala district chairperson dragged Ssembuusi -a correspondent for the Buganda Kingdom’ private radio for Kalangala district in the Central Uganda region to court accusing him of defamation  when he reported a story which aired on CBS radio on 17th/November/2011 that Kikoola was being investigated for alleged involvement in the disappearance of solar panels.

Ronald Ssembuusi in Orange shirt accompanied with HRNJ-Uganda lawyer Catherine Anite and CBS Chief News Editor Male Busuulwa coming from Kalangala court

Ssembuusi denied the charges and was released on Shillings 1 million non-cash bail. Two journalists Sadab Kittata Kkaaya of WBS TV (also Secretary General of South Buganda Journalists Association (SOBUJA) and Binde Edward  of Uganda Radio Network (URN) in Masaka stood sureties for him. He was represented by HRNJ-Uganda lawyer, Catherine Anite, while Arthur Masaba appeared for the prosecution.

Over 80 solar panels were donated by the African Development Bank through the ministry of water and environment in 2010 to help circulate clean and safe water in Kalangala Town Council. But about 40 (forty) of them went missing. Since November 2011, police have recovered about 21 of them.

The law on criminal defamation is being challenged by journalists Joachim Buwembo, Emmanuel Davies Gyezaho, Bernard Tabaire and Robert Mukasa. It is pending court’s decision because there is no requisite quorum for the court to sit.

The matter before Grade One Magistrate Gimungu Kenneth Kabiri was adjourned to 19^th/April/2012 to allow prosecution prepare for commencement of the hearing.

“HRNJ-Uganda is dismayed by the fact that the court ignores the current state of the law at hand and instead goes ahead to use it to charge people. This would in turn lead to non-expeditious trial of the case, and later alone deny the accused justice given the manner in which he is being tried. So we implore the court to stay the trial till the Supreme Court decides on the matter.”  Said the HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

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

JOURNALISTS SCORE VICTORY AS PARLIAMENT RESCINDS DECISION ON CARRYING ELECTRONIC GADGETS.

Kampala, 21^st/March/2012; The media in Uganda has registered victory when Parliament overturned its decision of banning journalists from carrying their electronic gadgets to parliamentary press gallery. Last week, the MPs had voted to block a proposal to allow the journalists to use audio recorders and cameras while covering plenary sessions.

The bi-partisan reversal of the decision was as a result of pressure and intense lobbying by the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA). The move saw ministers and members of parliament (MP) from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) join their colleagues in the opposition to support the recommitment of the proposal. The journalists dressed in black and filled up the press gallery of the house.

The motion to recommit the proposal was brought by Igara West MP Raphael Magezi who argued that modern trends of parliament cannot avoid the media. He said that the MPs are well represented when the media use their gadgets like recorders and cameras to accurately quote them. He added that since a section of the media was already airing live the proceedings of parliament, all the others deserved to be free to do the same.

Magezi was supported by ministers of Information Mary Karoro Okurut and Adolf Mwesigye of Local government and MPs Simon Mulongo, Medard Lubega Sseggona, Bakka Mugabe, JB Mutebi Balikuddembe, Onyango Kakoba and Abdu Katuntu among others.

The journalists under their umbrella body of Uganda Parliamentary Press association (UPPA) which comprises of over 90 members from different media houses had asked the Rules and Privileges committee to allow the media to carry along their gadgets into the house to capture MPs’ debates in order to avoid misquotation and possible defamation. But the house had voted to block the proposal.

UPPA President Agnes Nandutu was over joyed. She described the achievement as a great victory for the media.

“This is great victory, but it has not come easily, I took a lot of aggressive lobbying up to the last minute. It’s also an achievement in the country as Uganda becomes one of the few countries to open up its parliament. I wish to commend my UPPA colleagues who stood firm and the MPs who appreciated the need to open up.” She told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda HRNJ-Uganda at parliament.

She cautioned the journalists against using this privilege to abuse the professional standards.

This brought an end to a ban on the MPs who had been blacklisted for undermining the blocking of the proposal. They included; the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), woman MP for Iganga District Olivia Kwagala Kabala (NRM) and Bukooli North’ Bakka Mugabi (NRM) since they had realized their mistakes.

The house however did not reconsider the reversing the decision to allow the media access the Parliamentary Appointments Committee which vets the presidential nominees, a move which would enable journalists to cover the vetting process of this committee which is chaired by the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga.

HRNJ-Uganda commends all the efforts made by UPPA and MPs to open up the plenary sessions to the media. This will go a long way in holding the MPs and government more accountable to the electorates and other development partners. We however call on the MPs to ensure that all draconian laws and restrictive legislations to the media are dealt away with in order enhance media freedom in the country.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

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

UGANDAN PARLIAMENT BLOCKS MEDIA FROM ITS ACCESS. JOURNALISTS LOBBY MPS BLACKLISTS OTHERS.

Kampala, 19^th/ March/2012; Ugandan journalists who cover parliamentary news have blacklisted the members of parliament (MPs) who argued against the proposal to allow the media cover debates in the house with their gadgets. The victim MPs include; the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), woman MP for Iganga District Olivia Kwagala Kabala (NRM) and Bukooli North’ Bakka Mugabi (NRM).

During debate on the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure last week, MPs voted to block the media from accessing the confines of the House during plenary sessions with video and still cameras, as well as electronic recorders. Usually, journalists deposit their mobile phones at the reception before they access the Parliament chambers. The journalists are barred from the chambers and not allowed to carry laptops, note-pads, recorders, still or video cameras into the gallery from where they listen to the proceedings.

The matter was voted on and rejected in a chorus way.

The journalists under their umbrella body of Uganda Parliamentary Press association (UPPA) had asked the Rules and Privileges committee to allow the media to carry along their gadgets into the house to capture MPs’ debates in order to avoid misquotation and possible defamation.

UPPA which comprises of over 90 members from different media houses termed the MPs as enemies to the journalists and therefore needed to be treated as such. They accuse Kwagala and Bakka of resisting the proposal, while Oulanyah of exhibiting bias as he presided over the debate and shooting down an argument that the media was free to access information by way of Access To Information Act.  He said that the said law talks about only information in possession of Government.

The failed proposal was tabled by the chairman of the parliamentary committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline Fox Odoi (Independent), as the house revised the rules of procedure which guide parliament businesses. He argued  that due to the technological advancement, an amendment be made to allow members of UPPA to access the gallery with their gadgets to enable them report more accurately and in a timely manner.

The house also voted to reject a proposal to allow the media access the Appointments Committee which vets the presidential nominees which would enable journalists to cover the vetting of process of this committee which is chaired by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga .

UPPA President, Agnes Nandutu told a press conference at parliament that the association members had resolved to blacklist the MPs who engineered the rejection of the media friendly proposal because they were the enemies of the media freedom.

“It was very unfortunate that the proposal was blocked. This is very unfortunate but we are going to consult legal minds, do more research and appeal the decision. These MPs did a selfish action of deciding to go with their gadgets in the house chambers and broke us from covering the proceedings without gadgets inside the house chambers. We shall work on the two MPs accordingly” Nandutu stressed.

In a bid to have the decision re-considered, the journalists have done intensive lobbying with a cross-section of parliament, including; meeting the chairman of the NRM parliamentary caucus David Bahati, NRM Chief Whip Daudi Migereko, Fox Odoi, Oulanyah and the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga among others.

UPPA Chief Whip Expedito Ssebayiga told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that enough mobilization has been made ahead of parliamentary seating on Tuesday 20^th/March/2012 to have the proposal re-committed and considered more objectively.

“We have lobbied MPs and their respective leaders to re-commit this particular provision on the media and grant our requests. We are not asking anything from the ordinary, but just to enable us do our work better.” He said.

“HRNJ-Uganda commends the UPPA leadership for taking a firm stance on media freedom. Parliament conducts work on behalf of the voters to whom it must remain accountable, and this can only be done by the media who the eyes and ears of voters. We therefore call upon the MPs to reconsider the proposal and pass it order to bring the parliament closer to the voters who can only follow it through the media. The 9^th Parliament should stand to be counted in the promotion of the media freedom.” Observed the HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

HRNJ-Uganda urges parliament to vote on the matter by show of hands so that it is clear as to who votes to block the media from freely carrying out its duty.

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

WBS TV JOURNALIST ARRESTED WHILE FOLLOWING UP A STORY, THREATENED WITH DEATH.

16^th/March/2012; Mulindwa Mukasa, a correspondent with a local private television Wavah Broadcasting Service (WBS) TV was arrested at Nabweru Parents School – a private primary school while following up a news story about the treatment of the pupils. Mulindwa is the Executive Board chairperson of Human Rights for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda).

The school is found at Nabweru village (about 5 kilo meters from the capital Kampala, in Nansana town council, Wakiso district. Its owned by Ronald Ddamulira as its Managing Director, His wife, Mrs. Ddamulira is the school headmistress.

Mulindwa told HRNJ-Uganda that he first registered in the visitors’ book, and was ushered into the headmistress’s office. Trouble started when he asked the headmistress to comment on the treatment of the pupils.

“I asked her to comment about claims that the students were being mistreated at the school by teachers and other staff members. She was enraged, lost her cool and started shouting at me before calling in other three people. They confiscated my camera and locked it in one of the offices before they called in the police from Nabweru police station. Ddamulira came in moments later before the police arrived.” Mulindwa told HRNJ-Uganda.

A policeman from Nabweru helped Mulindwa to recover his video camera before referring the matter to Kawempe police division from where it was settled amicably. He was released without a charge by the police division’s crime Investigation’s officer.

Mulindwa applauded the professional nature in which they handled the matter, “I must say that the police acted very professionally right from Nabweru to Kawempe. They advised all of us on how to play our roles better. I should say they are professional enough in their way of work.”

Mulindwa reports that Ddamulira threatened him with death should he go ahead to investigate the story. “He said that he would behead me or employ other means to make me pay dearly if I don’t abandon pursuing the story. He said that there were many ways of killing a rat, so he would employ the same on me. He made the threats at Kawempe police division. So am going to open up a case file against him.” He told HRNJ-Uganda team which met him at Kawempe police soon after his release at around 08:00PM local time.

The threats were confirmed by the WBS TV chief news editor, Patricia Oyella after she had a meeting with Ddamulira at the WBS TV offices in Naguru.

“Those threats seem real because the man came here and talked to me for about two hours and threatened to kill Mulindwa over the story. He mentioned it three times and said that the police in Kawempe are aware of the same because he had made the first threats in their very presence. He thinks that it is his competitors who are trying to ruin the reputation of the school he has built for such a longtime. He said that he would kill him whether the story runs or not since it was putting his name at stake.” Oyella quoted Ddamulira as having said during the meeting.

Oyella said she values the life of her employee very highly, so she would have to decide on the future of the story in question.

HRNJ-Uganda commends the professional conduct of the police officers who handled the matter, and implores the entire police force to emulate them.

“We take the threats seriously and condemn the act in the strongest terms from an administrator of such a status. We implore the police to take the matter seriously and take action to restrain Ddamulira. Threatening journalists is the main tool used by criminal minded people, so we call upon him to withdraw such statements and also come clear on the treatment to the pupils which is being investigated. Otherwise the media should not succumb to such threats but go ahead to expose all forms of injustices and amplify the voices of the unprivileged” Said HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

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

GOVERNMENT REPORT DISMISSES POLICE OPENING FIRE AT JOURNALIST.

Kampala, 13^th/Mar/2012; A government investigation report has exonerated the Uganda Police Force in the alleged shooting of a Daily Monitor photo journalist Isaac Kasamani during an opposition rally early this year. It attributes the blast to a teargas canister which was thrown by the police.

The 115 paged report by a government hired Irish investigator, William Redmond says that there was no shooting at all by any occupants of the police van UP 1928. He concludes that the 64mm gas/smoke canister which was used emits a sharp noise which sounds like a shot and sparks are emitted

“As a result of this demonstration the investigator is satisfied that the only item of all the items demonstrated that could be described as a gas/smoke canister is the 64mm hand thrown smoke grenade which also contains a small amount of C.S gas. This item when thrown emits a sharp noise which sounds like a shot and as it explodes what you would describe as sparks are emitted before the smoke begins to pour out of the canister. The effect of all these items are heavily influenced by the wind speed and the direction of the wind. So before they are used, the commander has to be sure that he and his officers will not be affected should they decide to use them.” Reads the report in part.

Kasamani says that he narrowly escaped death when a police man allegedly shot at him on the 24^th January/2012 at about 7:30PM local time, as he took a photo of a tear gas canister thrown near Dr. Kizza Besigye’s car at Gayaza road round about at Kalerwe as police dispersed Besigye’ supporters after a walk-to-work demonstration organized by the Activists 4 Change (A4C). Two others, Michele Sibiloni an AFP photographer and Suleiman Mutebi, a Bukedde T.V reporter were also roughed up. Kasamani said that a policeman emerged from a van registration number UP 1928 and shot towards him as he took a photo.

While releasing the report at the government’ Media Centre, the state minister of Internal affairs, James Baba said that Kasamani could have mistaken the blast for a gunfire, “ It is clear on any reasonable assessment of the facts that no shot was fired by police at Mr. Isaac Kasamani. I must assume Mr. Kasamani was mistaken.” He said amid questions by the journalists whether the report was not doctored to clear the image of government.

Baba added, “Honest mistakes happen. There is no culpability in making an honest mistake but I feel bound to say that some people in the media bear culpability for their lack of professionalism.”

There has been increase in the attack of journalists especially those who cover opposition rallies and activities by the security agents especially police.

On Saturday 21th/Jan/2012, Kasamani while covering a scuffle between Besigye and police at Nakawa, a Kampala suburb had allegedly been confronted by the Kampala Metropolitan police (KMP) commandant, Assistant Inspector General of police Andrew Felix Kaweesi who told him that “So you are a Besigye journalist. You are everywhere he is.” However, Kaweesi denied the allegations when contacted by HRNJ-Uganda.

Hon. Baba attacked the media for what he described as using false reports to tarnish Uganda’s international reputation.

“We in government should soon come to a point when we will have to consider how the media is regulated in this country. We simply cannot continue to allow our international reputation to be tarnished by false reports which are published as fact. It is something I intend to raise in cabinet with a number of my colleagues.”

“We welcome the report and the swift manner in which it was done. However regard the threats made by the minister as serious attacks on the independence of several media houses which could unfortunately be understood as a justification for police to unleash their brutality on journalists” Said the HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

Wokulira observed that this is seemingly a systematic and deliberate targeting of media personnel by security operatives intended to block them from covering details of police and security conduct during demonstrations.

Wokulira said that HRNJ-Uganda is analyzing the details of the report in order to react to it.”

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

UGANDAN GOVERNMENT PAYS LIP SERVICE TO UPRM 120 DAYS AFTER REVIEW.

 Kampala, 12th/Mar/2012; It is over 120 days since the Ugandan government voluntarily accepted and pledged to implement 170 recommendations in the area of human rights during the review at the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism (UPRM) in Geneva October 2011, but Uganda still falls short of implementation.

The Ugandan mission to Geneva was headed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the11th/October/2011 review. Of the 170 recommendations, nothing has been done or put in place so far to start improving the human rights situation in the country.

The government particularly in the area of press freedom pledged to investigate acts of Violence meted against journalists and bring errant law enforcement officers to book, Repeal and amend all laws that contravene with the constitution and international Conventions and treaties among others, but not a single government committee or departments has Been set-up to undertake these special assignments either in the police or parliament.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) notes with concern that government has continued to sideline civil society organizations in the UPRM process as a way to front ill  Represented interests from the period of validation of a national report to pre-adoption process Where final decisions on the reserved recommendations has been decided on by a few individuals in  government. This has been done with no consultations or substantive engagements with the various stakeholders.

Ugandans have not only remained largely ignorant of their rights and freedoms but also the UPRM process. This action clearly shows how the government aims at keeping the citizens less empowered in order not to demand for what is entitled to them in regard to this process.

 Although we have heard that that government has drafted terms of reference for a consultant who is expected to be hired to develop a National Action Plan for UPRM, the time frame within which to realize such an initiative is still unknown.

The Ugandan government has continued its on-slaughter on the work of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression when it roundly rejected recommendations to admit the him into the country. Recommendations came particularly from Canada and Latvia among others. The Ugandan government for years has turned a deaf hear to numerous requests by the same office to be admitted in order to assess the enjoyment of such freedoms.

 The voices of reason and freedom of the press continue to shrink and sink as well as voices by the political activists to be silenced and activities brutally dispersed by the police and other security agencies.

  

Uganda has dropped 43 places to 139 of all the 170 countries in the world that were assessed by an international body Reporters without Boarders. And a recent human rights report the Press Freedom Index (PFI) released by local journalists’ human rights body summed up the press freedom and the media as Shrinking and sinking due to increasing attacks on journalists and the high level of impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators who are mainly the security agents.

  

The working environment for Non-Government Organizations (NGO) is becoming frail and rights and freedoms including the right to privacy are being clamped down with impunity despite the country facing an international scrutiny.

“The UPRM process should be for all Ugandans and not a preserve of a few people who are again in-control and managing country resources and drafting policies and laws. The process is intended to improve human rights situation for all Ugandans despite the fact that the government is reporting to the United Nations human Rights Council. It is the responsibility of government to ensure that all rights and freedoms are fully enjoyment. Uganda should be mindful of examples it is setting as a member of the human rights council of the United Nations.” Noted the HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

  

He stressed the importance of exerting more pressure on the government to accept all recommendations that were put to it because they are expected to improve the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in the country.HRNJ-Uganda calls upon the UN member states to remind the Ugandan government of its obligation of upholding human rights and undertake all-inclusive approach to involve CSOs and citizens in this process as a way of improving the general human situation in the country.

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

CRIMINAL LIBEL CASE AGAINST CBS JOURNALIST FAILS TO TAKE OFF

 09^th/Mar/2012: A case in which former Kalangala district chairperson Daniel Kikoola accuses a journalist Ronald Ssembuusi of criminal libel has failed to take off and adjourned to 20^th of this month.

Kikoola alleges that Ssembuusi, a correspondent for the Buganda Kingdom’ private Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) radio for Kalangala district in the Central Uganda region defamed him when he reported a story which aired on CBS radio on 17th/November/2011 that Kikoola was being investigated for alleged involvement in the disappearance of solar panels.

The matter before Grade One Magistrate Gimungu Kenneth Kabiri was adjourned because prosecution failed to adduce evidence that Ssembuusi had been served with the criminal summons which were issued on 24^th/ Feb/2012. The matter had been adjourned to 7^th/Mar/2012 to enable prosecution serve the accused, but service was not affected. Ssembuusi is represented by HRNJ-Uganda lawyer, Catherine Anite.

Anite objected to the commencement of the trial because the accused had not been served yet he has a constitutional right to a fair hearing where he must be informed of the nature of the offence and be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defense.

Over 80 solar panels were donated by the African Development Bank through the ministry of water and environment in 2010 to help circulate clean and safe water in Kalangala Town Council. Unfortunately, about 40 (forty) went missing. Since November 2011, police have recovered about 21 of the missing solar panels. The bank provides grants to African governments and private companies investing in African countries.

Kikoola, reportedly called Ssembuusi on November 21 and invited him to his home, but the journalist declined the invitation. HRNJ-Uganda intervened and caused meetings and telephone call conversations between police and Mr. Kikoola.

Ssembuusi reported that on 23rd/Nov/2011 at around 11:30am he received an anonymous call telling him to back off his reporting about the disappearance of solar panel. This went on for about a week.  Kikoola allegedly called Ssembuusi repeatedly and, during his last call, warned him that, “something strange would happen to him,” Ssembuusi said.

 “Somebody called me on a private number and it was a man’s voice. He alleged that he was calling from police. He said I would be kidnapped and my relatives or lawyers will not be able to trace my body in case I don’t back off from reporting on the missing solar panels” Said Ssembuusi. When HRNJ-Uganda contacted Kikoola, he confirmed having called the journalist but denied threatening him.

Ssembuusi reported the matter to Kalangala police station and recorded a statement but the police ignored this and never investigated into it, although the Kalangala Police OC CID Joseph Ssenabulya had assured HRNJ-Uganda that serious investigations would be undertaken. The District Police Commander (DPC) for Kalangala, Batte Godfrey Bolingo was also implicated in the theft.

“HRNJ-Uganda welcomes the adjournment, and believes that the principles of fair hearing will be accorded. This is a very sensitive case given the fact that the police have not been free from suspicion in the matter, since they failed to undertake investigating the journalist’s death threats. So we implore the court to impartially handle the matter and deliver justice to Ssembuusi” Said HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Wokulira Ssebaggala.

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

HEARING OF JOURNALIST OKELLO’ BAIL APPLICATION HAS FLOPPED.

Kampala, 02nd/March/2012; The High Court in Kampala has failed to hear a bail application filed by Augustine Okello, a journalist currently on treason charges which was scheduled for Thursday 1^st of March 2012 at 9:00am due to lack of a judge.

Okello has been on remand at Luzira since August 2011. He was committed to stand trial on 6^th January 2012 by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court at the next convenient session of the High Court.

HRNJ-Uganda through its legal team filed a second bail application on behalf of Augustine, on 10^th January 2012. Copies of the proceedings during the committal process were prepared and transmitted to the High Court Criminal Division in-order to ensure quick disposal of the bail application. The first bail application was heard on the 24^th and 25^th of October and denied by Justice Jane Kiggundu.

The High Court registrar Elizabeth Kabanda informed Okello’s Lawyers, Ondimu Duncan and Catherine Anite that Justice Lameck Mukasa had been assigned ‘special duties’ and therefore would not be able to hear any applications for the next two months. Therefore, a new hearing date and judge would be allocated in due time.

Ondimu said that it is not proper to file a bail application in January and two months down the road, a date is set and not honored. These bail applications are supposed to be heard expeditiously, therefore, they lose meaning when unnecessarily prolonged. Catherine Anite added that it is unfair and costly for three sureties to travel all the way from Lira and one from Kabale only to find an empty court room. Where is the justice, she asked?

Okello Augustine commonly known as ‘Rouks’ is a journalist formerly working as a radio presenter at Rhino FM (a branch of Top Radio) in Lira.

He was kidnapped on the evening of 13th July 2011 under unclear circumstances in Lira District after holding a number of meetings with the district internal security officer (DISO) Stephen Eriaku and another police man attached to Lira Central Police station.

He was detained incommunicado for more than two weeks in different places including Kitante based Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and Kireka, the headquarters of Rapid Response Unit (RRU). RRU has since been disbanded and incorporated into other security organs.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) filed for habeas corpus at High Court in Lira which pressurized security agencies. He was later produced to Buganda Road court and charged with treason.

“It is very saddening that court can set a hearing date and fail to hear the application. The most unjust part about this is that there was no prior communication to the relevant parties about court’s inability to hear the application. The cost implication on the sureties who hail from distant places of Lira in Northern Uganda and Kabale in Western Uganda is very high. We implore the judiciary to devise better means of communicating to relevant parties if court is unable to proceed with a matter. Okello has been in detention for over six years, so failing to hear his bail application in such a manner is very unfortunate.” said HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala.

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