Court Orders for Arrest of Journalist Attackers

Wakiso, 11^th/July/2012; Court has renewed orders for the arrest of two men accused of assaulting a Vision Group journalist Rebecca Nakame.

Katongole Issa, 26 and Mutagubya Jamil, 38 were supposed to appear in court on this day after the Entebe Court Grade II  Magistrate Nassimolo ordered for their arrest when they failed to heed criminal summons to face trial. The two are jointly accused with Ddungu Erias of assaulting the Bukedde Television journalist.

Prosecution alleges that on 20^th/April/2012, the trio , 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 –a video camera which they also confiscated.

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. Luswa was however excluded from the case file for unknown reasons. He is a police officer attached to Kajjansi Police Station.

Nakame told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that she was kicked, slapped, pushed and her hair pulled as she pleaded for mercy before being saved by a local council official. She sustained bruises and severe back pain.

The matter has been adjourned to 14^th August 2012 and the said warrant of arrest extended to the same date when all the suspects are expected to appear.

“We hope that the police will take due diligence in the search for the said culprits. They should be brought to court to face the law and it’s our prayer that justice is seen to be done. We also want the police to include Luswa on the file for his role in setting the group against the journalist.” Said HRNJ-Uganda Programme Coordinator, Wokulira Ssebaggala

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,humanrajournalists@yahoo.co.uk

 Website: www.hrnjuganda.org

 BLOG: http://hrnjuganda.blogpost.com

CBS JOURNALIST GRILLED FOR THREE HOURS OVER RADIO PROGRAM.

Kampala, 09^th/July/2012; the police have grilled a Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) talk show host for three hours over a political programme he moderated last month.Meddie Nsereko Ssebuliba, a prominent talk show host in the country working with the Buganda Kingdom-owned radio CBS, appeared before the police’s media crimes department at the CID headquarters at Kibuli- a Kampala suburb. He was accompanied by his lawyer Mudde John Bosco of Katende, Sempebwa and Company Advocates. Others included CBS’s managers Robert Kasozi, Kawooya Mwebe among others.

He was grilled by a team of detectives led by Mbonimpa Emmanuel in a matter that had no one complaining about the contents of the radio programme. He recorded a statement after listening to the recordings of the programme in question. However there were no charges preferred against him.Nsereko is accused of allegedly failing to moderate a talk show he hosted on Thursday June 28, 2012 thereby allowing the panelists to de-campaign the ruling party (NRM) flag bearer John Chrysostom Alintuma Nsambu in the Bukoto South parliamentary by-elections. The panelists were Members of Parliament, they Included Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality -DP), Mohammad Nsereko (Kampala Central-NRM), Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality-DP) and Kyeyune Kasolo Haruna (Kyoteera-NRM). The seat fell vacant when court nullified the election of Mohammad Mbabaali on academic ground. DP’s Mathias Nsubuga and Nsambu are the main contestants in the race of seven candidates.

Nsereko told HRNJ-Uganda that he was not moved by the interrogations because they seem to be politically motivated. “I am not scared; this is meant to intimidate me. It is the usual police stuff. And I am very surprised that there is no complainant in this matter. Let’s see where it ends.” he said soon after walking out of the interrogation room.

“Nsereko’s case is a clear indication of how the state is bent on silencing the media and curtailing free debate on matters of national interest. Such acts infringe media work and should not be condoned by a human rights respecting society. It is a direct infringement on the freedom of the press. The journalists should avoid being used to testify against their sources of news, unless compelled by court. HRNJ-Uganda demands respect for the journalism profession and understanding of the core values of the profession, including the protection of sources of information.” 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

Trial of CBS journalist takes off in Kalangala.

Kalangala, 06^th/July/2012; The trial of a Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) journalist Ronald Ssembuusi has kicked off in Kalangala with the prosecution producing three witnesses but exhibits of the alleged defamatory recordings are yet to be produced in court.

Daniel Kikoola, the former Kalangala district chairman who is the complainant appeared as the first prosecution witness. During cross examination, he admitted that he actually did not hear the news but was relying on what he had been told by people who he claimed called him after hearing the said news. He stated that on the 17th of November 2011, he received several phone calls from different people asking him whether he had heard the defamatory news that he was one of the persons who had stolen solar panels.

Kikoola also failed to tell court when exactly he left the office claiming that he had forgotten and yet he clearly remembered the years from 1986 when he was a councilor.

Kikoola denied having ever known Ssembuusi until when this matter came to court but his 3rd witness Kaweesa Gibril told court that he was certain Kikoola knew Ssembuusi way before the court case because he was a prominent CBS reporter and a resident in the area. He further told court that after he heard the defamatory news he called Kikoola and yet in his statement he stated that Kikoola called him.

The second witness Tindyebwa David, a fisherman told court that he knew Ssembuusi for years and that he had never aired out any defamatory news before.

The police witnesses were not available as they had reportedly travelled to Masaka Court to testify in another court case. The presiding magistrate, Kenneth Gimungu adjourned the matter to August 01, 2012 for further hearing. 

Kikoola 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 he was being investigated for alleged involvement in the disappearance of solar panels.

He was charged with criminal defamation on 21^st/March/2012 and released on Shillings 1 million non-cash bail.

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 some of them.

 “HRNJ-Uganda commends the court  for expeditiously handling this matter, but concerned by the failure of the police to produce their witnesses as this may delay the trial which gives an opportunity to Ssembuusi to defend himself against the allegations” 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 SUMMON CBS JOURNALIST OVER RADIO PROGRAM

Kampala, 06^th/July/2012; the police in Uganda have summoned a political talk show journalist with the Buganda Kingdom owned radio Central Broadcasting Services (CBS) for questioning over a radio program.Meddie Nsereko Ssebuliba was summoned by the police’s media offences department at the Directorate of Crime Investigations Department (CID).The summons, issued on July 03, 2012, were signed by the police media crimes department head Fred Mirondo.

Nsereko is accused of allegedly failing to moderate a talk show he hosted on Thursday June 28, 2012 thereby allowing the panelists to de-campaign a ruling party (NRM) candidate John Chrysostom Alintuma Nsambu who is vying for the Bukoto South parliamentary by-elections. The panelists were Members of Parliament, they Included Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality -DP), Mohammad Nsereko (Kampala Central-NRM), Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality-DP) and Kyeyune Kasolo Haruna (Kyoteera-NRM). The seat fell vacant when court nullified the election of Mohammad Mbabaali on academic ground. DP’s Mathias Nsubuga and Nsambu are the main contestants in the race of seven candidates.

Nsereko is expected to appear at the CID headquarters in Kibuli -a Kampala suburb on Friday July 06, 2012 at 02:00PM local time.We believe that the summons for Nsereko and requiring him to testify against the politicians he hosted on radio is a direct infringement on the freedom of the press. This would erode away the confidence the public has in him as a journalist and would abuse his right to protect his sources.

"Extracting information from a journalist to implicate some people would abuse the journalism code of ethics that empowers journalists to protect their sources. Such actions by the police are illegal and an insult to the journalism profession. This would set journalists in Uganda against every politician including members of the public." 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 GRANTS BAIL TO JOURNALIST FACING TREASON

Kampala, 03^rd/July/2012; High Court in Kampala has granted bail to a journalist suspected of treason after a year in jail. He however has been remanded to Luzira prison after failing to pay the bail money.

Augustine Okello, a radio presenter at Rhino FM (a branch of Top Radio) in Lira was bonded on UG.X 8 million cash bail which he failed to pay, sending his wife Christine Okello into tears. This was the third bail application after the previous two attempts were rejected.

He was granted bail due to his worsening health condition notably chest pain, high blood pressure and ulcers which have degenerated since his arrest and detention.The court presided over by Justice Lameck Mukasa granted the bail application but with stringent conditions ruling that Okello should deposit his land title and passport with the Registrar of the criminal division of the High Court. He is to report to the Lira District Police Commander every Monday and to the Deputy Registrar of the Criminal Division of Lira every third day of the month. His movement beyond Lira Municipality is also restricted unless with explicit permission from the Registrar of Lira High Court.

Okello’s sureties included a businessman Ogwengi Micheal, a teacher Adonyo David, Enyanga Joel a pharmacist at Lira National Referral hospital and Ekol Frank a close family friend.The HRNJ-Uganda lawyer defending Duncan Ondimu said this bail was a milestone which would give him more time to prepare for the trial. “It’s a welcome development. We can now concentrate on the trial itself.” He remarked soon after securing the bail.

 Okello was kidnapped on the evening of 13th July 2011 in Lira District under unclear circumstances. He was detained incommunicado for more than two weeks and only produced after 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 welcomes this development and commends the court for exercising its mandate. We believe that Okello is innocent, but only a victim of persecution. The release of the journalist is grand victory to the journalism fraternity. We appeal to the court to hear and dispose of this matter expeditiously.” 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