The two (2) journalists Dickson Mubiru and Alirabaki Ssengooba who were arrested and detained after investigating and publishing corruption-related stories, secured temporary freedom when the court released them on bail after three weeks in prison.
The journalists were charged with publishing information without a valid broadcasting license, contrary to Section 27 of the Uganda Communications Commission Act, 2013, a charge different to the circumstances under which they were arrested. They spent three weeks on remand at Luzira maximum-security prison.
The bail was granted on non-cash terms for both the accused and their four sureties. However, the prison authorities delayed the process, and the journalists were only released in the afternoon of July 12, 2024.
The alleged charges emanate from stories published on the Grapevine website on June 13, 2024, relating to allegations that some MPs had shared money from a foreign oil company whereas other charges relate to a story they published on May 15, 2024, regarding a ‘clash’
Despite being denied bail twice before on insubstantial excuses, the journalists have committed to complying with the bail terms until their charges are disposed of by the Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife Court at Makindye, in Kampala
The journalists expressed their gratitude to the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) for offering legal support through their lawyer Andrew Mumpenje, which convinced the court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Owomugisha Sienna to grant them bail.
HRNJ-Uganda welcomed the bail but maintained the request to the court to expedite the case so that the journalists could receive justice.
“We are relieved that the journalists have been granted bail, but we remain concerned about the prolonged pre-trial detention and the twisted charges against them. We will continue to support them and advocate for their rights until the case is concluded.”Said Diana Nandudu, the Programme Officer, Legal Aid and Support at HRNJ-Uganda.
In Uganda, there is a growing trend of persecuting journalists for doing what duty bearers describe as offensive, including writing about corruption.
