UGANDA: Police arrest 3 journalists

Journalists have been the latest victims of the government efforts to remove Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago from Kampala Capital City Authority.

Top radio presenter Richard Kasule a.k.a Omuggagga Kamagu was yesterday arrested on grounds of incitement to violence.

Two other journalists: Halima Asijo Uthuman of Uganda Radio Network and Mulindwa Mukasa, the chairperson of Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda), were also detained at Wandegeya Police Station as they were following up on the arrest of Mr Kasule.

Mr Kasule was picked from Top Radio studios in Bwaise, a Kampala suburb, after he hosted the deputy Lord mayor, Mr Suleiman Kidandala yesterday morning.

The deputy police spokesman, Mr Patrick Onyango, confirmed the arrest on charges of inciting violence.

“The media department of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Directorate is handling his case and they are getting more evidence from the Uganda Communication Commission for more charges,” Mr Onyango said.

By press time, Mr Kasule had been transferred to Central Police Station.

Ms Uthuman, who was arrested for allegedly taking a photograph of a police officer at the station, was later released. Mr Mulindwa was still detained by press time.

Alleged directive

The arrest comes days after Kampala Resident City Commissioner Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka allegedly sent a letter to another local radio station warning them to refrain from hosting Mr Lukwago.

Mr Mpimbaza allegedly ordered the media station that in case they are hosting an opposition member, they must have a government official responding to his allegations.

HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator Robert Ssempala yesterday decried the police action.

“Freedom of speech and expression which include the freedom of the press are constitutional guarantees which must not be suppressed by political heads for selfish interests,” Mr Ssempala said.

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