Tuesday, March 22, 2011

police arrest and detained a radio reporter over a news story that alleged lawlessness

Mpigi, 21st/March/2011; Police in Buwama, Mpigi district have arrested and detained Central Broadcasting Service (CBS FM) correspondent Yoweri Musisi over a story which alleged increased lawlessness in the area.

Musisi is a correspondent for Buganda Kingdom owned radio CBS FM in Mpigi district, 80 kilometers, south of Kampala.

He was arrested on 19th/March/2011 at 10am by armed police men at Buwama trading centre on the orders of Officer in Charge of the station Abbey Ngaho.

Human Rights network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) has learnt Musisi reported a number of stories about the increasing theft and house breaking cases in areas of Luwunga, Nkozi and Bwere.

Sources told HRNJ-Uganda that residents in these areas live in fear since the beginning of this year due to likely cases of rape since thugs forcefully enter into people’s houses.

“When I was writing the previous story, I went to OC CID Buwama police station called Natukunda with a complainant from Bwere village Simon Peter Kawuki. He confirmed that police have recorded cases of theft and house from such areas” said Musisi

When HRNJ-Uganda first visited Musisi at Buwama police station on 20th/March/2011 he said, he was not aware of charges despite being behind bars.

O/C Ngaho told HRNJ-Uganda that Musisi was on charges of inciting of violence and giving false information.

“He reported in the news that there were rebels in the area. He traded false information and we shall punish him for that” said Ngaho
Musisi was released on bond on 21st/March/2011 at 1:00 o’clock after being charged with giving false information.

“Police should not use laws to silence voices of the people rather to guard communities from criminal elements. People resorting to the media to express their concerns clearly indicate that police has failed its work or people have lost trust in the institution of police. ” said HRNJ-Uganda Programmes Coordinator Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala

HRNJ-Uganda challenges police to investigate and arrest all criminals who have been terrorizing communities than suffocating voices of those who speak for the voiceless.

Musisi is required to report on bond on Thursday the 24th/March/2011 at 10:00am

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

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