CHURCH COMPENSATES ITS VICTIMS OF ATTACK

Mukono, 22^nd/June/2012; Mt. Lebanon Church in Mukono has compensated four Mukono based journalists who implicated it in an attack on them.Kalumba Ronald of WBS Television received a new video camera while Makumbi Joseph of the Red Pepper got a photo camera. The two had their original cameras damaged in a scuffle when a group of members from the church attacked them on May 20^th, 2012 as they followed a news story.

Other victims were Moses Kizito Bbuule and Paddy Nsobya of the Vision Group. They were attacked by a group led by one Shem Ssemmanda, who later admitted and asked for forgiveness.During a recent meeting between the journalists and the church at Shade Gardens in Mukono, Pastor of Samuel Lwandasa apologized to the journalists and committed to buying new cameras to replace those damaged during the attack.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) witnessed the occasion which saw the journalists withdraw the assault and damage to property charges that had been filed against the group.The two groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which they undertook to refrain from trading in any form of violent and non-violent reproach against each other.

“HRNJ-Uganda welcomes this initiative of mending fences between the media and the public. It however cautions journalists against getting carried away by instant compensations by their attackers as this would encourage impunity for people who can use their financial muscle to get away with crime. We however wish to commend the professionalism and urgency with which the Mukono police have handled the investigations into this matter.” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes 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

MAGISTRATE APOLOGIZES FOR DETAINING JOURNALIST

Masaka, 22nd/June/2012; A Masaka-based Magistrate has apologized for arresting and detaining a journalist early this week.Doreen Ajuna a Grade One Magistrate arrested and detained Namuwonge Hahifah, a reporter with the government media outlets; Bukedde Television, Bukedde Newspaper and Bukedde FM on June 19^th during a court session involving a Masaka-based business tycoon accused of robbery and murder.

Namuwonge is the Vice President of the Masaka-based South Buganda Journalists’ Association (SOBUJA). Ajuna ordered for her detention after suspecting her of taking notes during an open court session at the Masaka High Court. Ajuna admitted to wrong doing and said it was a mistake bound to happen to all human beings. “Am a human being I can also make errors. I did not know she was a journalist.” Ajuna  was quoted at a reconciliation meeting.

The meeting was convened at chambers of the Masaka Chief Magistrate Boniface Wamala who also apologized on behalf of the Judiciary. He under scored the importance of the media in informing the public, and therefore a need to strengthen working relations with the Judiciary.It was attended SOBUJA leaders and members including Sadab Kittata Kaaya, Pascal Mweruka, Ssozi Ssekimpi Lyazi, Margaret Kayondo, Davis Buyondo and Jimmy Ssekabiito among others.

Namuwonge and Ajuna shook hands as a reconciliation gesture. Ajuna professed to being a Human Rights activist who would facilitate at journalists’ trainings if called upon.“We welcome this Magistrate’s admission of wrong doing, and we wish to encourage the police and other non-state actors to emulate her. The media should be encourage and supported all those in public offices such that it can carry on with its cardinal role of informing the public and be able to hold them accountable. We also urge the judiciary to put in place clear guidelines to safeguard journalists who go court to cover news.” 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

STATE TO REVIEW CHARGES AGAINST JOURNALIST

Ntungamo, 21^st/June/2012; The case file against a Daily Monitor journalist has been returned to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for consent.

Perezi Rumanzi, a freelance reporter with Daily Monitor in Ntungamo District was charged with incitement to violence. Prosecution alleges that Rumanzi uttered words that contravene section 51 of the Penal Code Act. The said words were however not on the charge sheet.

He was arrested by Special Forces Group (SFG) guarding the first Lady Janet Museveni on April 29^th at Kyamate Cathedral which is the seat of South Ankole Diocese for allegedly compromising the security of the First Lady Janet Museveni by interfering with their movement.

At the time of his arrest, Rumanzi was covering the installation of the members of South Ankole Diocese Synod at St. Mathew Cathedral Kyamate in Ntungamo district where Ms. Museveni was the chief guest.

The SFG claimed that Rumanzi was arrested for interfering with the security of the First Lady, but later the police’s crime investigation officer said he was to be charged for sedition, while his bond papers had the offence of obstruction. He was finally charged with inciting violence which offence requires consent from the D.P.P.

The matter is before the Ntungamo Grade One Magistrate Francis Matenga. Rumanzi will report back to court on July 20^th. He is represented by Monitor Publications lawyer Joshua Mariiro.

“The state is trying to bring up tramped charges against this journalist. Referring the file back to the DPP clearly shows that the case was pre-maturely sent to Court. This is a way by the state to delay the trial. We appeal to the court to handle the matter expeditiously so that Rumanzi defends himself.” 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

COURT SETS DATE TO HEAR JOURNALIST BAIL APPLICATION.

Kampala, 20^th/June/2012; High Court in Kampala has set a date to hear a bail application filed by a journalist suspected of treason.The application by Augustine Okello, a radio presenter at Rhino FM (a branch of Top Radio) in Lira has been set for 27^th/June/2012 before Justice Lameck Mukasa. Okello has spent almost a year in jail.

The journalist commonly known as Rouks was kidnapped on the evening of 13th July 2011 in Lira District under unclear circumstances after holding several 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 and only produced after a journalists’ body Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) filed for habeas corpus at the High Court in Lira which pressurized security agencies. He was later presented to Buganda Road court.He is the second journalist from Northern Uganda to be charged with treason after Mega FM’s Otim Patrick who was kidnapped in a similar way. Otim has since been acquitted of the charges along with 13 other suspects.

Okello was charged with treason on 1st/Aug/2011 and committed to trial in the High Court on 6th January 2012.HRNJ-Uganda has made double attempts through its Lawyer Duncan Ondimu to secure Okello’s release on bail but was unsuccessful.“HRNJ-Uganda condemns these unjustifiably long pre-trial detentions which have become a stumbling block to expeditious justice for suspects in Uganda. The law in Uganda presumes that suspects are innocent until proved guilty, and the onus is on the state to prove this. So we appeal to the judiciary to grant bail to Okello and other suspects as the state undertakes to prosecute the case.” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes 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

COURT ORDERS FOR ARREST OF JOURNALIST ATTACKERS.

Wakiso, 20^th/June/2012; A Court in Entebe has issued arrest warrant for attackers of a Vision Group journalist Rebecca Nakame. The Grade II Court Chief Magistrate Nassi Molo ordered for the arrest of Katongole Issa, 26 and Mutagubya Jamil 38 after failing heed to criminal summons against them to appear in court to face trial. The two are jointly accused with Ddungu Erias and other still at large of assaulting the Bukedde Television journalist.

 Prosecution alleges that on 20^th/April/2012, the trio with others still at large, at Bweya village, Ssissa sub-county in Wakiso district assaulted Nakame occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 236 of The Penal Code Act and destroyed her property.Nakame was attacked by a mob on the orders of one Hakaya Luswa a special police constable attached to Kajjansi police station. She had been invited to cover a news story about a family land wrangle, but was attacked by some family members before she started filming the story. Her camera was damaged and confiscated.

 Nakame told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that she was kicked, slapped, pushed and pulled by the hair as she pleaded for mercy before saved by a local council official. She sustained bruises and severe back pain.The case was adjourned to 11^th July 2012 when all the suspects are supposed to appear.

“The trial of the alleged attackers is a timely intervention and we commend the state for handling the matter in an expeditious way. Many attackers of journalists have for a long time enjoyed a lot of impunity, but with this case, there is hope that it will help reduce on the attacks to journalists in Uganda.” 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

Journalist arrested in Court, detained.

Masaka, 19^th/June/2012; A Vision Group journalist has been arrested in court and detained for about an hour in a court cell at Masaka High Court.Namuwonge Hanifah, a reporter with the government media outlets; Bukedde Television, Bukedde Newspaper and Bukedde FM was arrested on the orders of Grade One Magistrate Doreen Ajuna during a court session involving a Masaka-based business tycoon accused of robbery and murder.

Commercial (Boda boda) motorcyclists in Nyendo in the Central region accuse Kafuuma Faisal of stealing motorcycles and murdering the cyclists. He was arrested on 08^th/May/2012.Namuwonge is the Vice President of the Masaka-based South Buganda Journalists’ Association (SOBUJA). She told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that she had not started capturing the proceedings when the Magistrate charged at her.

“I was writing a note to pass on to her asking for permission to capture the image of the suspect, but when she saw me, she charged at me asking what I was writing in her court without her permission. I explained but she became more furious and as a result she ordered for my arrest. She told the Court Clerk, one Kazibwe to bring a police officer one Wetaka who led me out to a Court cell in which I was detained for about an hour. She said that she was tired of journalists.” narrated Namuwonge soon after her release.“I want to discipline you people. Go there (cell) and see.” Namuwonge quotes Ajuna as having said. The cell contained another woman inmate with her baby.

Namuwonge was released after the intervention of a Ssuubi FM journalist Margaret Kayondo who approached the Magistrate and pleaded for her by presenting the note asking for permission which Namuwonge was writing at the time in court.“I went to her after that court session and pleaded for my colleague with whom I was in court. The Magistrate said that she was tired of journalists and would therefore convene a meeting to block journalists from covering court proceedings. She cautioned her in absentia before ordering for her release.

Upon her release, Namuwonge was given back her video camera and two mobile phone handsets which had been confiscated.This incident comes at a time when the Judicial Service Commission is investigating into the alleged misconduct of Justice Faith Mwondha of throwing out journalists from her open court sessions without a clear reason. The investigation was prompted by HRNJ-Uganda which petitioned the Commission and the Principal Judge seeking for intervention to restrain Mwondha from witch-hunting the media. This was as a result of various incidents in Kampala, Jinja and Entebe where she reportedly threw out journalists from courtrooms for no clear reason.

“HRNJ-Uganda is dismayed by the conduct of the Magistrate. This act infringes the rights and freedoms of journalists and the media. The journalists are the people’s eyes and ears who need not to be thrown out of open courts. We therefore would appeal to the Judicial Service Commission to expedite the investigations into Justice Mwondha as this will protect and restrain judicial officers from harassing media practitioners.” 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

Police Boss Sued For Journalist Assault

Siraje Lubwama being forced in CPS by security agents

Kampala, 19^th/June/2012; A journalist has sued the Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Lawrence Niwabiine for allegedly assaulting him while he covered a news story in Kampala three months ago. Niwabiine was jointly accused with the Attorney General as the government Chief Legal Advisor.Siraje Lubwama, a journalist with the privately owned Observer Newspaper, sued Niwabiine before the High Court in Kampala seeking compensation for damages and inconvenience over the alleged assault on March 28^th, 2012.

In his complaint, Lubwama claims to have lost his belongings; a mobile phone handset and Shs150,000/= for which he holds Niwabiine personally liable.He also wants court to declare Niwabiine unfit to hold public office because of his conduct on the fateful day.In addition, he wants court to declare that his arrest was unlawful and infringed on his duty as a journalist who was performing his duties.

Three journalists including; Bukedde Newspaper’ Joseph Mutebi, Hasifah Wanyana a court reporter for Kingdom FM and Lubwama were assaulted on March 28^th, 2012 near Buganda Road Court in Kampala as they covered along with other journalists the release on bail of the opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and other opposition politicians accused of murdering an Assistant Inspector of Police John Bosco Ariong. Two of the victims Lubwama and Mutebi accused Niwabiine of leading the attack on them. Mutebi’s case was since resolved amicably.

 Lubwama alleges that he was lifted up in the air by Niwabiine’s junior police officers before being dumped inside the Central Police Station (CPS), and only released after fellow journalists and opposition politicians intervened by storming the station. Court has not yet summoned Niwabiine and the Attorney General to file in their defence in relation to the accusation before a hearing date can be fixed.

“This is yet another positive development in holding individual officers accountable for their deeds. A case against such a high-ranking police officer would help tame other junior police officers who have severally descended on to journalists and assaulted them with unabated impunity. We want to encourage as many journalists who are victims of police attacks to come up and seek for justice in the courts of law. HRNJ-Uganda appeals to court to expeditiously handle 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

, JOURNALIST DRAGS CITY MAYOR NYAKAANA TO COURT OVER ROBBERY AND ASSAULT

Godfrey Nyakaana Amooti, the Mayor of Kampala Central Division

HRNJ-UGANDA ALERT, JOURNALIST DRAGS CITY MAYOR NYAKAANA TO COURT OVER ROBBERY AND ASSAULT

Kampala, 18^th/June/2012; Court has summoned the Mayor of Kampala’s Central Division Godfrey Nyakaana Amooti over charges of robbery and assault of a Red Pepper journalist Arinaitwe George Fidel.

The summons were issued by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Mary Khainza for Nyakaana to appear in court on 12th /July/2012 to answer to the two charges.

Prosecution alleges that on February, 23 2011 during local council general elections for Kampala Lord Mayor,  Nyakaana unlawfully used actual violence against one Arinaitwe George Fidel causing him actual bodily harm and also robbed him of his Sony camera worth 400,000shs. In a bid to destroy the photos that Arinaitwe had taken, Nyakaana is alleged to have grabbed the camera from Arinaitwe and destroyed its memory card before punching him several times. Although Nyakaana was not one of the candidates in the elections, he was displeased by Arinaitwe who took photos of the fracas that broke out after people started accusing him of vote stuffing at the Railway ground polling station.

Issuance of the criminal summons against Nyakaana was prompted by the State Prosecutor Nelly Asiku who asked the court to make Nyakaana aware of the criminal charges against him.

At the time of the attack, Nyakaana was overseeing the votes of the ruling party’s (NRM) candidate for the Lord Mayor ship Peter Sematimba. The elections were later cancelled by the Electoral Commission upon discovering that they were marred by wide spread irregularities throughout the district. They were later re-organized and Sematimba lost to Erias Lukwago who is the current lord mayor.

Khainza ordered Nyakaana to appear in court on July 12, 2012 to take plea.

“HRNJ-Uganda welcomes this move. It is a long time since this incident happened in broad day light. This case should serve as a deterrent to leaders in public offices from misusing their authority to break the law. Such acts promote mob justice which should not be condoned. So we call upon the judiciary to expedite the process of 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