Two Journalists Remanded to Luzira Prison Over Licensing Charges

Summary:

• Two journalists, Alirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru, from Grapevine Publications and Ono Bwiino Newspaper, have been remanded to Luzira Prison for publishing without a valid broadcasting license. They were charged after a court appearance and denied the charges. Their bail hearing is set for June 21, 2024. The Uganda Journalists Association has condemned their detention and vowed to defend their rights. The arrests are related to stories on legal disputes and corruption allegations.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – Two journalists from Grapevine Publications and Ono Bwiino Newspaper, Alirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru, have been remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of publishing information without a valid broadcasting license. The arrest occurred on June 18, 2024, with the journalists held at Kampala Central Police Station.

Following their appearance before Buganda Road Court magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday afternoon, Sengooba and Mubiru were charged based on allegations presented by state attorney Ivan Kyazze. The prosecution claims that on May 15, 2024, they published a story titled “Lawyer Kalali, Justice Nkonge Clash Over Court Case File” on Grapevine without the necessary license from the Uganda Communications Commission.

Both journalists denied the charges. Their lawyer, Nasser Kibazo, sought bail and requested a temporary adjournment to gather required documents. Magistrate Kayizzi subsequently remanded the journalists to Luzira Prison until Friday, June 21, 2024, when their bail application will be reviewed.

The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) strongly condemned the continued detention of Sengooba and Mubiru. UJA highlighted the importance of press freedom in democratic societies, stating, “Press freedom, as a cornerstone to the growth of democracy in any society like Uganda, includes freedom of expression that should be protected by the state and non-state actors as opposed to imposing limitations against the same.” The association is committed to defending the journalists’ rights until their release.

Luke Owoyesigire, Deputy Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, informed the Nile Post that the reporters are accused of making defamatory statements. The arrests are tied to two news stories: one involving a dispute between lawyer Steven Kalali and High Court Judge Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya, and another implicating the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in parliamentary corruption scandals.

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