Human Rights Network for Journalists – Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)

The High Court in Kampala has declined to hear the SIM-card registration case, saying that the exercise had already ended earlier in the year. Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda and Legal Brains Trust challenged the exercise, arguing that it was marred with irregularities.

Alex Kule, who worked with Messiah Radio in Western Uganda, was found dead on 14 December, in a transmission room near the station mast. He is the second journalist to die mysteriously this year in Uganda.

IFEX members are calling on the president of Romania to veto proposed changes to the penal code passed by Parliament that would recriminalise insult and libel.

Representatives of freedom of expression organisations in Africa that are members of IFEX met in Accra, Ghana, on 9 and 10 December 2013 to develop a framework for regional networking in Africa.

Radio presenter Kisuule Richard aka Kamagu, was arrested for hosting an opposition politician on his show. Meanwhile, Mulinda Mukasa, the Board Chairperson of HRNJ-Uganda, and journalist Halima Uthman were arrested for taking photos at the police station.

Close to 20 journalists were blocked from accessing the City Hall chambers during the impeachment of Mayor Erias Lukwago. Police did not provide a reason for restricting the media professionals’ access to the building.

Kyambadde Sam was charged with assault for following up and questioning the arrest of a suspected businessman, at Bakuli, a Kampala suburb.

Vision Group journalist Mathias Sebwato Kavub, was allegedly beaten until he was left unconscious by a teacher at Old Kampala Secondary School, when he tried to interview a student.