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

Journalists asked the Rules and Privileges Committee to allow the media to carry their electronic gadgets along with them into the House to capture MPs’ debates, in order to avoid misquotations and possible defamation – a request that was denied.

“We take the threats seriously and condemn this act in the strongest terms; we implore police to take the matter seriously and take action to restrain Ddamulira,” said HRNJ-Uganda.

Kasamani says he narrowly escaped death when a policeman allegedly shot at him on 24 January as he took a photo of a tear gas canister thrown as police dispersed demonstrators.

It is over 120 days since the government pledged to implement 170 recommendations in the area of human rights during the review at the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva in October 2011, but Uganda still falls well short of implementation.

Ronald Ssembuusi has been involved in a lengthy court case after he reported on alleged corruption in the Kalangala district.

Fifty IFEX members and other rights groups call on the Bahrain authorities to release from prison human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, whose life is at risk since beginning a hunger strike on 8 February.

HRNJ-Uganda is shocked by the government’s rejection of recommendations made to it during the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism to admit the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression to visit the country and assess the human rights situation.

“Justice Mwonda takes it upon herself to systematically block the eyes and ears of the public under unclear circumstances; this conduct is an insult to the media and it greatly impedes our work,” said HRNJ-Uganda.