Kabarole journalist detained, released without charge (Demo)

Kabarole 16^th /February /2017 Police in Fort Portal has released without charge a Kabarole Research Centre (KRC) FM radio reporter Nahwera Nicholas after 19 hours of detention.

He was arrested on Tuesday evening on allegation of publishing a defamatory story.

“I was called by the Officer In Charge, Kasusu Police Station on Tuesday evening to report to his office. When I reached his office, at 6pm, he ordered me to remove my shoes, belt, hand over my phone and any other belonging to the police. He said that I published a defamatory story against Totina Nester Kisembo. He then ordered for my detention,” Nahwera told HRNJ-Uganda a few hours after his release on Wednesday.

In the morning, Nahwera was interrogated in the presence of Totina over a story that aired on KRC FM on Tuesday 14^th February 2017 at 7am. He was questioned on the source of his information which he declined to disclose. “I told police that I used my techniques as a journalist to get the story,” Nahwera said. After the interrogation, he was further detained.

The KRC FM Editor Patra Kirungi, confimed that they aired a story about threatening violence against Totina by her ex-husband Kagaba William.

When HRNJ-Uganda contacted the District Police Commander, Musa Tibakirana, this morning he said he was not aware of the matter but promised to make a follow up with the OC station.

Nahwera did not record a statement and was released without charge. “The OC told me he was instructed by the DPC to release me,” Nahwera told HRNJ-Uganda.

“We appreciate the timely intervention of the DPC to secure the freedom of this reporter. This is a wonderful step towards reducing case backlog in courts of judicature in Uganda,” said Diana Nandudu, HRNJ-Uganda legal officer.