Uganda

Two armed, plainclothes police officers arrested Williams Ntege after he was caught filming the arrest of Kampala MP Nabirah Ssempala and refused to leave the scene of the arrest.

HRNJ-Uganda has learned that anti-riot police targeted journalists who were covering a brutal attack on Democratic Party supporters.

More than 55 journalists were subjected to different forms of violence in the last six months, says HRNJ-Uganda.

As activists and politicians intensify “Walk to Work” campaign actions, ISPs were instructed to shut down Facebook and Twitter platforms for 24 hours.

The attacks appear to have been organised to prevent journalists from documenting the brutal attacks on protestors, says HRNJ-Uganda.

Ssemakula Bambalazabwe was detained for 12 hours at the Mutundwe police post after covering a scuffle between Kampala University students and the university administration.

“It’s unfortunate that individuals in legal institutions use illegitimate laws under the guise of bringing justice,” said HRNJ-Uganda.

Goodluck Musinguzi and Robert Muhereza reported that a Kabale official had threatened to shoot an electrical company employee.

Kanungu town councillor Emmy Magezi Byarugaba was reportedly angered by media reports on his court case and the fact that photojournalist Patson Baraire was photographing him without permission.

Central Broadcasting Service (CBS FM) correspondent Yoweri Musisi was arrested after filing a series of stories on home break-ins in areas of Luwunga, Nkozi and Bwere.

Uganda, a member of the UN Human Rights Council, is up for a review of its human rights situation in October 2011 under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

ARTICLE 19 highlighted the restrictive legislation related to the media and freedom of expression; the failure of the government to implement the access to information legislation; and the frequent attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and political opponents.

Brian Luwaga, of “Kamunye” newspaper, and Edward Bindhe, a stringer with Uganda Radio Network, were invited by the Mutesa I Royal University guild president to cover the demonstration.

David Lukakama, of the Voice of Busoga radio station, and Hasfa Nakyanzi, of Top Television, were covering the violently dispersed demonstration in Jinja town.

“Daily Monitor” journalist Tabu Butagira was questioned by the Special Investigation Unit over a story he had written on opposition leader Kiiza Besigye.

Ssozi Lyazi Ssekimpi of Top Radio was reportedly suspended as a result of government pressure over comments made during a talk show on electoral malpractice.