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…
Journalists harassed for broadcasting “false news”
February 1, 2006 Posted March 14, 2006 Jimmy Uhuru, Unity FM Paul Odom Aryam, Unity FM Joe Okello, Unity FM HARASSED Police in the northern town of Lira raided the private radio station Unity FM and arrested three journalists working for the station. Owner Uhuru, News Editor Aryam, and news reader Okello were released the…
Police close radio station after critical talk show
New York, March 14, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the closure of an independent radio station in Uganda which aired a show critical of the military and a ruling party candidate in last month’s municipal elections. Police in the northern town of Gulu shuttered Choice FM on Monday, the station’s news editor Sam Lawino…
Canadian freelance journalist prevented from returning
New York, March 9, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the expulsion today of a Canadian freelance journalist who reported from Uganda for more than two years for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the London-based magazine The Economist, and other outlets. Blake Lambert told CPJ that authorities at Kampala airport prevented him from re-entering Uganda and…