Kibuli, 10th /November/2016; Uganda police at Kibuli CID head quarters on 11th /November/2016 summoned a journalist Mabonga Darlington Kitts over allegations of Criminal defamation.
The journalist ran a story, implicating a pastor, one Inawale Job Olusegun for fathering a child outside his marriage. Nadunga Robinah the mother of the child dragged the pastor to court after he refused to take responsibility of Inawale Olusegun Job Junior.
Human Rights Network For Journalists-Uganda, made attempts to verify the content of the story, and found out 2 DNA results confirming that pastor Inawale Job is indeed the father of Inawale Job Junior. The first report was done by the government of Uganda at Ministry of Internal Affairs, Directorate of government Analytical laboratory on 13th /March/2015 and the second on 27th /May/2015 at Lancet laboratories Uganda Limited.
“The pastor does not want journalists to cover the case in court, he is using police to arrest journalists covering his case. He has so far opened up 2 cases against me, one at Kibuli CID head quarters of criminal defamation and the second at Wandegeya police station of criminal trespass on his church .” said Mabonga
HRNJ-Uganda is following up the 2 cases to ensure justice for the journalist and protection of freedom of expression.
“We condemn abuse of due process by the pastor, we also advice and encourage the Uganda police to carefully and cautiously evaluate complaints before opening up vexatious and frivolous charges against journalists.” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala
