HRNJ-Uganda alert, Police and President’s representative arrest radio station manager for criticizing the President.

WEB PHOTO: President Museveni commissioning one of the roads in Uganda, 26 February 2015.

Gulu, 22^nd/July/2015; Police and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Gulu District in Northern Uganda, on 21st July 2015 arrested Payira Bonny a radio talk-show host who is also the Programmes Manager of Jal Fresh FM, for allegedly using abusive language against the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a one hour talk-show which discussed political developments in the country.

Payira was arrested along with Okot Thomas Oloya a.k.a Toko a student at Gulu University, Okyak Silva -a former Guild President of Gulu University and Agwen Samuel the Local Councilor for Laroo Division in Gulu Municipality. The trio had been hosted in the current affairs programme which airs from 7pm to 8pm local time from Monday to Friday.

A source told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda that Payira was arrested from Roma hotel by RDC Andrew Moses Awinyi and the District Police Commander for Gulu District, Martin Okoyo. “They arrested Payira and put him in their car without informing him the reason for his arrest. He was taken to Gulu Police Station, where he recorded a statement before being locked up in the cells”. Payira and others where still detained at the time of publishing this brief.

It is alleged that during the talk-show, the trio criticized President Museveni for commissioning the Gulu-Atiak road that is reportedly not complete. The Regional Police Commander for Northern Region Wilson Kwanya, accused the suspects of hatred against the president. “What caused the problem is abusive language against the Head of State. They have hatred against the president. They were abusing him on radio. So when we got information about that, we went and arrested them for questioning. We intend to take them to court.” Kwanya told HRNJ-Uganda. Okoyo declined to comment, referring HRNJ-Uganda to the Officer in Charge of Investigations, whose cellphone couldn’t go through.

The Jal Fresh radio Director, Eng. David Mwaka told HRNJ-Uganda that he was yet to listen to the said program recording, “The police are not saying much, no charges, no nothing as of now. I have asked for the recording of the show. Am sure that as a radio, we act under the law; even if it is to criticize the president, we do it positively. They should release them on bond or take them to court to be heard.”

“The police and RDC should not stifle debate and discussion on matters of public interest as this is a key ingredient of a free and democratic society. The President as the Chief Executive of the country is not immune to criticism. The aggrieved party of such criticism should petition the Media Council, rather than criminalizing free speech.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Plot 18, Block 12 Stensera Road Kayanja Triangle Zone
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala. Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org

HRNJ-Uganda alert, media body HRNJ-Uganda loses property worth millions in office break-in.

Kampala, 30^th/June/2015; A media rights body, Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has lost vital information and property to unknown persons who broke into their office premises in Kayanja Triangle Zone in Rubaga, a Kampala suburb, and made away with all desktop computers, laptops, documents and unspecified amount of money for project activities.

“It is hard for us to comprehend. This was a highly sophisticated intrusion. The organization is paralyzed, a lot of our important information was taken, we can’t tell what they intend to use it for. We suspect this to be a reprisal for the work we do in defending and promoting media freedoms and journalists’ rights in the country,” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala this morning.

This is the second time in two years when HRNJ-Uganda offices are being broken into. There have been several attempts to break into the office but foiled by the security guards. However last night the security guard, who was on duty disappeared in the morning after the break in, leaving behind her gun.

The attackers used the window on the National Coordinator’s office after removing the burglar proof to enter the premises, they broke all internal office doors, vandalized drawers and scattered documents on the floor as they made away with others. They also made away with the organizations money-safe which was vandalized and found at the Rubaga police post by HRNJ-U staff who had gone to report the incident.

“When I arrived this morning I found the guard outside the gate, she opened for me, I entered and proceeded to open the office. I was shocked to see broken pieces of metallic bars near my boss’s office window. I rushed back to check on the guard only to realize that she had disappeared leaving behind the gun,” said Emmanuel Magambo the in-charge Information Technology and Security at HRNJ-Uganda.

Numerous rights-based non-governmental organizations have been broken into in Uganda and useful information and property lost. According to NGO-Forum, over 15 offices of human rights organizations have been broken into under similar circumstances in the recent past. They include; ACCU, FHRI, EHAHRDP, AGHA, HRNJ-Uganda, AFODE, HURINET-Uganda, ACME, among others.

“Their interest was to access our information which they did because how do you explain the fact that expensive and portable machines like printers, projectors and photocopiers were not taken! They targeted specific offices within the premises, making us more suspicious of the intentions of the attackers. We hope that the police will investigate this matter to its logical conclusion.” said said Robert Ssempala, the National Coordinator.

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Plot 18, Block 12 Stensera Road Kayanja Triangle Zone
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala. Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org

HRNJ-Uganda alert, Journalist acquitted of ‘obstruction’ charges

Kampala, 22^nd June 2015; Mulindwa Mukasa, a journalist with the Associated Press, has on 22^nd June been acquitted by the Magistrates Court of obstructing the former District Police Commander, Wandegeya Police station, Julius Ceaser Tusingwire while executing his duties.

In her ruling, the Senior Principal Magistrate at the Law Development Centre Court, Jolly Nkore Shwanda said that the prosecution evidence was inconsistent and heavily discredited by the defense during cross-examination to be relied on.

“… Directing my mind as Court to the law and the evidence provided on record, there were great differences especially the testimony of the second prosecution witness having been discredited during cross examination. I fail to find that the accused has a case to answer. I accordingly acquit him as prayed for by defense Counsel,” ruled the Magistrate.

Mulindwa was represented by HRNJ-Uganda' lawyer Catherine Anite while the prosecution was led by Naluzze Aisha Batala.

In June 2014, Mulindwa was charged with obstructing Julius Ceaser Tusingwire, the then District Police Commander of Wandegeya Police Station in November 2013 while transferring Kasule Richard alias Kamaggu, a radio journalist who had been arrested for hosting an opposition politician, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Sulaiman Kidandala.

Prior to this criminal charge, Mulindwa had instituted civil proceedings in the High Court against Tusingwire accusing him of harassment while covering the arrest and detention of Kamagu. The matter is currently before Justice Lydia Mugambe.

Speaking to HRNJ-Uganda after the ruling, Mulindwa said that the criminal charge was trumped up and diversionary and that he is happy to finally regain his freedom to pursue the civil case against Tusingwire who must answer for his unprofessional conduct against journalists.

“Despite the lengthy trial, justice has finally been procured. It is unfortunate that police is misusing its powers to harass and intimidate journalists through tramping up charges which they cannot prove. Police should promote the safety of journalists other than curtailing their freedoms.” said Robert Ssempala, the National Coordinator.

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Plot 18, Block 12 Stensera Road Kayanja Triangle Zone
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala. Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org

HRNJ-Uganda alert, police detain journalist for photographing a suspect at court

Tabitha (right) talks to her father Patrick Bamwise Kakaire (left).

Kampala, 19^th/June/2015; a court reporter working with the Vision Group, Betty Amamukirori was on 18^th June, arrested by the police at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, a Kampala suburb for photographing a suspect during a court break. She declined to delete the said photos, and later released without a charge.

Betty told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda that she was arrested by the police upon photographing a suspect, one Patrick James Bamwise Kakaire, 64 years, a resident of Jinja district who was convicted of a land matter in which he converted family land into his names without the authority of the 22 beneficiaries. The Presiding Judge Paul Mugamba convicted him to UGX4.5million fine or serves four years imprisonment.

Betty was detained for almost 2 hours on the orders of Bamwise’s daughter, a one Tabitha (said to be an employee of the Ugandan Parliament), in a bid to force her to delete the photos. Betty said that the police officers at the court led by one Anyanga tried to intimidate her to surrender the camera but declined, “The police were ordering me to delete the photo, they threatened to undress me and search everywhere for the camera which I had used to take the convict’ photo. I identified myself to them twice as a Vision Group reporter, but they continued harassing me on Tabitha’ orders. The police were not helpful at all.” Betty told HRNJ-Uganda at the Court soon after her release.

Another court reporter, Veronica Kayaga, who witnessed the incident, told HRNJ-Uganda that much as the Court Clerk explained to the police that what the journalist had done was okay since the photo was taken during a court break, they were defiant and continued to force Betty to delete the said photo.

“We are happy that Betty’s fellow court reporters rushed to her defence. We urge the court authorities to ensure the protection of the court reporters who face safety and security challenges from irrational individuals within court. The police should desist from being used to violate media freedoms. They should guarantee the safety and security of all court reporters especially those covering highly sensitive cases.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Plot 18, Block 12 Stensera Road Kayanja Triangle Zone
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala. Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org

HRNJ-Uganda alert, Journalist murdered in cold blood, husband arrested in connection.

Scovia Anena while still alive (WEB PHOTO)

Gulu, 17^th/June/2015; Police in Gulu district have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a 23-year old freelance journalist, Scovia Anena, who was working with a Christian based radio, Favor FM. Residents discovered Anena’s decomposing body on Monday 15^th June, 2015 lying in clotted blood in her rented house, at Kolo quarters in Layibi Division, Gulu Municipality in Northern Uganda.

The Gulu District Police Commander, Martin Okoyo told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that Anena’s husband was arrested in connection with the murder, “We have arrested one suspect in connection with her murder, it is her husband, and we have him in our cells as further investigations are going on. We arrested him from Gulu.” Okoyo said in an interview. Sources have identified the suspect as Joel Kenneth.

A local journalist, who preferred anonymity, told HRNJ-Uganda that Anena’s body had a rope tied around her neck and onto a chair, with all things in her room scattered around meaning that she must have put up a fight but overpowered by her killer(s). The journalist said that Anena was sleeping alone in the house since her husband was working with an NGO in Pader district, and would return home over weekends. The source said that post-mortem examination results indicated that Anena sustained chest and lung injuries, pointing to a possible use of a blunt object on her. Anena was said to have been pregnant for her first child.

The deceased’ News Editor at Favor FM, Caroline Ayugi told HRNJ-Uganda that, “Anena had last reported to work on Friday 12^th June, 2015 and left after filing her stories. She went back very okay after work, she did not hint on any threats to her life. Anena’s burial is due on Thursday 18^th June, at 09:00am local time, at Layibi.

Meanwhile, Central Police Station in Gulu arrested a Vision Group journalist, Lamony Jee Wilfred on 15^th June, 2015 while following up on a story of the theft of a commercial motor cycle. He was detained for a night and released in the evening of the next day, without a charge, on the orders of the Regional Police Commander. He lost his company identity card and National Identity Card and other valuables.

“This is another sad moment for the media. HRNJ-Uganda conveys its condolences to the media and the deceased’s family. Police should make thoroughly investigate this horrific murder and bring the perpetrators to book. There are other previous murders of journalists for which the police should release its investigation reports. The police should also stop arresting journalists on duty and charging them on tramped up charges. Police should compensate Mr. Lamony” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.

For More Information Contact;
Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)
Plot 18, Block 12 Stensera Road Kayanja Triangle Zone
P.O.BOX. 71314 Clock Tower Kampala. 

Tel: +256-414-272934 / +256-414-667627
E-mail: info@hrnjuganda.org