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Kabarole journalist detained, released without charge (Demo)

Kabarole 16th /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 14th 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.

Comments (1)

Noah Nash Kasangaki

Thanks Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)YOU HAVE REALLY MADE US JOURNALISTS TO FEEL PROUD OF OUR PROFFESSION

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