CPJ condemns arrests of Ugandan journalists
New York, April 28, 2008—A story on claims of torture at alleged secret government-run detention centers led authorities in Uganda to arrest three top journalists and seize materials and documents on Saturday, according to local journalists and news reports. The journalists, including top political journalist Andrew Mwenda, are free on bail in the capital, Kampala,…
Ugandan political radio shows allowed to resume broadcast
New York, March 14, 2008—Police in Uganda should respect a court ruling that lifts a ban on two live radio programs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The court decision today allows two live political shows on Life FM in Fort Portal to resume broadcasting, but the station has since received a warning from…
Government authorities accused of blocking new publication
UGANDA: Government authorities accused of blocking new publication DECEMBER 14, 2007 Andrew Mwenda, The Independent CENSORED The founder and director of a new weekly private newspaper, The Independent, said Ugandan authorities ordered several printing companies on December 14 not to publish the first edition of the publication.
Gunmen pour acid on radio station transmitter
New York, October 9, 2007—A private radio station in southwest Uganda was knocked off the air for several days after armed assailants poured acid on its transmitter last week in an attack believed to have been prompted by a program critical of the local government, according to local journalists and news reports. Life FM, one…
In Uganda, government shuts down new TV station
New York, February 7, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern today at the government’s indefinite removal of a new private television station from the air by cutting its use of a state-owned transmitter. Nation Television Uganda (NTV) went off the air Saturday after officials at the Broadcasting Council (BC), an official media regulator,…
Attacks on the Press 2006: Uganda
UGANDA Uganda held multiparty presidential elections in February for the first time in President Yoweri Museveni’s 20-year reign, with multiparty district council elections following in March. While Museveni easily won a new five-year term, according to official results, the election was marred by government harassment of the media and the leading presidential opponent, Kizza Besigye.…
Trial of Observer journalists suspended
June 30, 2006 Original Alert: June 8, 2006 James Tumusiime, Weekly Observer Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, Weekly Observer LEGAL ACTION The trial of two journalists from the independent Weekly Observer newspaper on charges of “promoting sectarianism” was suspended June 22 pending a ruling on the constitutionality of the law under which they were charged, according to…
African leaders urged to defend press freedom
Your Excellency, The Committee to Protect Journalists urges you as chairman of the African Union to discuss with your fellow heads of state and government at your summit in the Gambian capital, Banjul, from July 1, the need to defend press freedom on the continent.
Journalists on trial for “promoting sectarianism”
New York, June 8, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply troubled that two journalists are to go on trial in Uganda, charged with “promoting sectarianism” in an article criticizing government persecution of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Editor James Tumusiime and reporter Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda of the independent Weekly Observer face up to five years…