Freedom of the Press in Uganda 2002-2003
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Freedom of the Press in Uganda 2002-2003 A journalist murdered Jimmy Higenyi , a journalism student at the United Media Consultants and Trainers (UMCAT) school, was fatally shot in the back by police in Kampala on 12 January while covering an opposition demonstration as a course assignment. Overwhelmed by the size of the turnout, the police had opened fire in order to disperse the crowd. Organised by the opposition Ugandan People's Congress (UPC), the march was banned by police under article 269 of the constitution forbidding political activity. It was the first time Higenyi had done field reporting as a journalist. At least three other reporters - Archie Luyimbazi and Andrew Mujema of the television channel WBS and James Akena of the daily New Vision - and several UPC leaders were detained for several hours by police. The police inspector-general, Maj. Gen. Katumba Wamala, announced a few days later that a ranking police officer and two other policemen had been arrested in connection with the death of Higenyi. "The police assume full responsibility," he said at a press conference. Two journalists physically attacked Matthias Mugisha, a photographer with the pro-government newspaper New Vision , was beaten by the commander of the military police, Maj. Dick Bugingo, and his camera was destroyed while he was covering training exercises in Kampala on 30 January 2002. Bugingo also ordered a bodyguard to hit another New Vision journalist, Grace Matsiko, when she objected to the attack on Mugisha. Two journalists arrested Father Giulio Albanese, director of the Italian missionary news agency MISNA , travelled to the northern Kitgum region on 28 August 2002 to interview the LRA rebels about a possible ceasefire with the government. Although the army had approved this meeting, military personnel followed Albanese and the two other priests accompanying him and used their rendez-vous to launch a surprise attack on the rebels. Albanese and his two companions were arrested by the military and taken to Kitgum barracks, where they were accused the next day of supplying medicine to the rebels. They were released later that day. "They treated us like animals," one of Albanese's companions said. Raid on The Monitor Police raided The Monitor , the country's only independent daily newspaper, without a warrant on 10 October, searching its offices, seizing equipment and posting units outside that barred access, thereby preventing the newspaper from appearing for a week. The raid was prompted by a report in that day's edition that rebels had brought down an army helicopter in the north. The journalist who wrote the report, Frank Nyakairu, was arrested by soldiers the next day in the northern town of Gulu. Managing editor Charles Onyango Obbo and news editor Wanyama Wangah appeared in court on 16 November on charges of publishing false news prejudicial to national security. They pleaded not guilty and were released on bail of 1.5 million shillings (820 euros). After being brought to Kampala, Nyakairu appeared in court the following day and was released a few hours later on bail of 2.5 million shillings (1,360 euros). Thereafter, the police blockade was lifted, much of the confiscated equipment was returned, and the newspaper was able to reappear on 18 October. Information minister Basoga Nsadhu urged The Monitor's journalists to respect press ethics and Uganda's laws. A month later, a presidential advisor on media matters called for harsher measures against journalists who encourage terrorism and said he had no reason to apologise to The Monitor. © Reporters Without Borders 2002 Uganda Attacks Freedom of the Press October 11, 2002 The Ugandan government should immediately end its suppression of the Monitor, the main independent daily in Uganda, and allow the paper to publish again, Human Rights Watch said today. An estimated 50 soldiers, some in uniform and others in civilian dress, occupied the premises of the Monitor in Kampala late on Oct.10 and started searching electronic and written material. They ordered staff to leave and disconnected the telephones. At present, police continue to guard the office and the Monitor has not been published today. Security forces told Monitor managers that the newspaper was being searched because it had published news that an army helicopter involved in the northern Uganda war had crashed. The authorities denied that the crash had happened. “Just when independent reporting is most necessary—in war time—the Ugandan government has silenced one of the country’s most respected journals,” said Juliane Kippenberg, researcher in the Africa division of Human Rights Watch. “This is a blatant attack on freedom of the press.” In May, a draconian anti-terrorism law came into force providing a possible death sentence for anyone publishing news “likely to promote terrorism.” Terrorism is broadly defined as the “use of violence or threat of violence with intent to promote or achieve political, religious, economic, and cultural or social ends in an unlawful manner.” It is not known if the government intends to make the Monitor its first test case under the new law. The war in northern Uganda, involving government forces and the insurgent Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has escalated dramatically in recent months. Large numbers of civilians have been killed, and tens of thousands were ordered by the army to leave their homes last week. Human Rights Watch MPs Rap Govt Over Monitor November 2, 2002 By Emma Mutaizibwa MPs on Thursday condemned government's seven-day closure of The Monitor newspaper. The MPs were attending a public discussion on the theme, The Freedom of the Media in Conflict organised by the Uganda Young Democrats at Lumumba Hall terrace, Makerere University. Kassiano Wadri (Terego) said that because of government's failure to tackle the root cause of the war, it had turned its aggression toward the media. "Government opted for the weak option, to close The Monitor," Wadri said. "Government through its mouthpiece The New Vision wants to give a false impression that all is well in the country. Government acted in a high-handed manner to close the paper." Wadri attributed the continued war in the north to poor facilitation of the soldiers and "corruption" within the army. Ken Lukyamuzi (Lubaga South) was cheered when he said that when the government begins terrorising the press, it's a sign that it's about to collapse. "If you report that a chopper was shot, what is wrong with that?" he said. "If you stop Frank Nyakairu [author of the story] from reporting on what is going on, then we can get rid of you." Lukyamuzi advised government not to pursue the court case on the chopper story but rather apologise to The Monitor. On the war in the north, Lukyamuzi said President Yoweri Museveni should hold peace talks with LRA leader Kony outside the country. "I will rejuvenate the motion of peace talks in Parliament," Lukyamuzi said. "If the president doesn't comply, then we shall appeal to the international community to impose aid sanctions on Uganda." Reagan Okumu (Aswa) said it was an act of tyranny to close the newspaper. Odonga Otto (Aruu) said the closure of The Monitor was "barbaric". "I have the data from this place, Adilang [the alleged area where the chopper came down], because I am from there," Otto said. "When Parliament resumes work on Nov. 12, I will give this evidence. I may force government to resign." Ssebuliba Mutumba (Kawempe South) said government has run out of ideas and should hand over power. But Tarsis Kabwegyere (Igara West) said that at times matters of national concern shouldn't be exposed in the press.The Monitor, Uganda Govt Moves To Vet Journalists January 3, 2003 By Carolyne Nakazibwe The Media Council will soon visit media organisations to vet the qualifications of journalists. The move, expected to be carried out this year, will see disc jockeys (DJs), artistes and scribes without journalism qualifications barred from working in media houses. Similarly, radio stations, which refuse to stop broadcasting public debates outside their studios (ekimeeza), may not have their licenses renewed by the council this year. Radio One, Radio Two, Simba FM, CBS FM and other stations upcountry hold live public debates every weekend. Minister of State for Information Basoga Nsadhu said 2003 is the year for implementing the Press and Journalism Statute, which among other things requires journalists to have a degree in mass communication/journalism, or a degree in another discipline with a journalism diploma. He said only honorary members of the profession, recognised as such by the National Institute of Journalists of Uganda (NIJU) due to their long time of service, would be spared. "We want to deal with people who are competent and professional in the field," Nsadhu said at the weekly cabinet briefing in Nakasero yesterday. Reporters and radio presenters without necessary qualifications will be sieved by this operation, unless a NIJU general assembly recognises them as associate members. The Media Council is a statutory body and the Information minister appoints members to the council. The body includes journalists, government officials and other members of the public, although journalists are advocating the formation of a council free of government control. Nsadhu said the Electronic Media Statute 1996 requires radio stations to operate only within licensed studios, and not bars, night-clubs or their compounds. "Is the producer supposed to be addressed as chairman? All radio licenses are due for renewal this year and we intend to fully follow the law. Those who are not ready to comply with the law shall not be allowed to operate at all," a tough-talking Nsadhu said. "If you can't operate [according to the law] then don't apply for the license.