Journalist detained since 6 January
(RSF/IFEX) – Vincent Matovu, managing editor of the local Luganda-language weekly “Mazima”, has been held on remand in Luzira prison since 6 January 2003, in connection with the publication of two articles concerning the war between rebel groups and government forces in the north of the country. “This case demonstrates once again that journalists are […]
Government curbs live radio broadcasts
(RSF/IFEX) – On 8 January 2003, RSF protested over the Ugandan government’s crackdown on live outdoor radio broadcasts of the views of ordinary Ugandans. “This is just a means of preventing people from debating national issues and making themselves heard,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said in a letter to Information Minister Basoga Nsadhu, while calling […]
Journalist released on bail, “The Monitor” newspaper to re-open but case against journalists continues
(WiPC/IFEX) – On 17 October 2002, WiPC welcomed the news that journalist Frank Nyakairu was released on bail and that “The Monitor” newspaper is to resume publication. However, the organisation remained concerned that charges are still to be preferred against the newspaper’s staff. Nyakairu, who was arrested in the northern town of Gulu on 11 […]
Charges filed against three “Monitor” editors, CPJ condemns raid on newspaper and radio station
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 15 October 2002 CPJ press release: CPJ CONDEMNS RAID ON NEWSPAPER AND RADIO STATION IN UGANDA Journalist detained; editors to appear in court tomorrow New York, October 15, 2002-The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly condemns the Ugandan government’s raid on the Monitor media group, the detention of one […]
Journalist reportedly kidnapped following security forces’ raid on newspaper’s offices
(RSF/IFEX) – On 11 October 2002, RSF condemned Uganda’s security forces for searching the offices of the country’s only independent newspaper, “The Monitor”, without a warrant on 10 October, and preventing publication of the daily’s 11 October issue. The organisation also expressed concern about the army’s reported kidnapping of Frank Nyakairu, one of the newspaper’s […]
Police raid offices of independent newspaper “The Monitor”
(NDIMA/IFEX) – A large contingent of security officers raided the offices of Uganda’s largest independent newspaper, “The Monitor”, on 10 October 2002. The swoop by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and regular police was prompted by a story published in the 10 October edition of the newspaper about an army helicopter that allegedly […]
Rebels destroy radio station
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has condemned the destruction of a radio station in the northern Ugandan town of Lira by rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). “We ask you to do everything possible to ensure the safety of journalists and media so they can continue doing their work,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said in a […]
Rebel chief issues death threat against Belgian journalist
(RSF/IFEX) – On 31 July 2002, RSF voiced its utmost concern about Ugandan rebels’ death threats against Belgian journalist Els De Temmerman. The organisation is particularly concerned about a letter from rebel chief Joseph Kony that was found on a rebel captured by the Ugandan army, in which Kony calls for De Temmerman’s “elimination.” In […]
Passing of anti-terrorist law that impedes press freedom causes concern
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is an IPI letter to the president, Lt-Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: His Excellency Lt-Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President Office of the President Parliament Bldg, POB 7168 Kampala Uganda Fax: + 256 41 256 143 Vienna, 22 March 2002 Your Excellency, The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media […]
Journalists risk ten-year jail sentences under new anti-terrorist law
(RSF/IFEX) – On 21 March 2002, RSF urged the Ugandan government not to implement its new anti-terrorist law until clauses jailing journalists for up to ten years for “encouraging terrorism” are removed from the legislation. “This vague charge could be used against journalists who are deemed too critical of the authorities,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard […]
Journalism student killed by police during opposition demonstration
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is an 18 January 2002 RSF press release: Journalism student killed by police during an opposition demonstration Reporters sans frontières (Reporters Without Borders – RSF) expresses its dismay and indignation following the death of a journalism student on January 12, 2002. The organization has asked the Ugandan authorities to carry out […]
Journalist burnt to death by unknown assailants
(NDIMA/IFEX) – The following is a 22 December 2001 NDIMA press release: Nairobi, December 22 2001 Attacked journalist dies, buried Ugandan journalist David Matovu, formerly working with Radio Uganda, died yesterday (December 21 2001) at Mulago Hospital, where he had been admitted after unknown attackers doused him with petrol and set him ablaze on the […]
Human Rights Watch concerned over proposed law that would limit civil society’s activities
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Uganda: Don’t Limit Space for Civil Society (New York, October 2, 2001) — The Ugandan Parliament should reject a proposed law threatening the legitimate activities of civil society, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Amendment Bill […]
Editors of independent daily “The Monitor” acquitted
(NDIMA/IFEX) – The following is a 6 March 2001 NDIMA press release: Nairobi, 6 March 2001 ‘Monitor’ editors acquitted – state fails to prove paper’s malice Three editors of Uganda’s independent daily ‘The Monitor’ were acquitted of sedition charges on March 6, 2001, after a Kampala court found them innocent. The two and a half […]
Journalists, editors harassed in election lead up marred by violence, intimidation
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a Human Rights Watch press release: Uganda’s Election Lead Up Marred by Violence, Intimidation Government permits arrests, attacks against the opposition (New York, March 5, 2001) — Serious human rights concerns in the lead-up to Uganda’s March 12 presidential elections shed doubt on whether the election will be free and […]
CPJ condemns ongoing prosecution of two radio journalists
In a 3 April 2000 letter to President Yoweri K. Museveni, CPJ condemned the ongoing prosecution of newscaster Frank Bagonza Kimoone and reporter Joseph Kasimbazi of the community radio station Voice of Tooro. On the evening of 16 February, military intelligence officers in Fortportal, a town in western Uganda, arrested Kimoone in connection with a […]