09th/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 20th 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 24th/
Feb/2012. The matter had been adjourned to 7th/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
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