By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has tasked police to urgently release of journalists Arirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru of Ono Bwino Newspaper and The Grapevine Online, who have been unjustly detained for the now two days without trial, denouncing it as a violation of press freedom and unfair treatment of dedicated Journalists.
The arrest reportedly came after the duo went to CPS Kampala to respond to summons against them following two reports they published on their publication one depicting a bitter row between lawyer Steven Kalali and the High Court Judge Her Lordship Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya, and another implicating UNOC in alleged corruption scandals at Parliament.
“We strongly protest the continued detention of journalists Arirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru of the Grape Vine Publications and Ono Bwiino Newspaper who were arrested on Tuesday 18 June 2024 and detained at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) while in line of duty,” UJA said.
In a statement by the association spokesperson, Ronald Kabuye, UJA alleges that police unlawfully stormed the media outlet’s office and forcefully confiscated their work tools.
“Shortly after their arrest, the Police swiftly moved to their offices in Kampala Central Division, searched them out and took possession of their work tools; laptop computers and phones,” read a statement in parts.
Further reports indicate that the duo was subjected to questions to disclose their confidential sources of information which according to UJA “infringes on the newsgathering process” and erodes the independence of the news media from the government. The disclosure of a confidential source without that source’s consent may subject a journalist to civil liability for breaching their promise of; “sacred trust” between a journalist and the source.
According to UJA, Press freedom as a corner stone to the growth of democracy in any society like Uganda, should be protected by the state and non-state actors than imposing limitations against the same. They demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees because keeping them in detention beyond the standard time (48hrs) without trial curtails and suppresses critical journalism meant to provide solutions to society.
“We request for unconditional release of the journalists since they have spent 2 days in Police detention without being produced before Court, hence violation of the 48-hour rule by the Constitution,” UJA demanded.
Kabuye expressed the association’s determination to defend the detainee’s rights and freedoms until they regain their freedom.
It’s important to note that this is not the first time Mubiru is arrested in similar incidences. In 2022, the journalist was arrested in what was first thought as arrest on alleged orders of the First Family following a question he had asked the president about the then ongoing abductions in the country.
Reports had indicated that he was arrested for annoying the First Family for questioning the president about abductions. This was however debunked by the deputy press secretary to the President, Faruk Kirunda as “Absolute lies” disclosing that Mubiru had been arrested over a defamatory article he published against the person of businessman Hamis Kiggundu.
“Absolute lies!! The arrest of journalist Mubiru Dickson has nothing to do with the First Family. It arises from a complaint filed by Mr. Hamis Kiggundu, according to Kira Division DPC,” Kirunda said.
The journalist was later on released on police bond.
