22 Sep 2010 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
Kampala metropolitan police chief Andrew Sorowen announced on 20 September that public gatherings involving more than five people must be cleared by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). He added that the measure also applied to wedding receptions and funerals, citing the threat of terrorism as justification. Police deputy spokesperson Vincent Sekatte later said that official clearance was not required for private assemblies, but advised citizens wishing to hold such events to inform the IGP first. The new guidelines come amidst outrage at the government’s proposed Public Order Management Bill, which would require organisers of rallies and demonstrations to obtain approval from the police.
17 Sep 2010 | Index Index, minipost
A radio news anchor and opposition political activist in Uganda’s central district Mukono was beaten to death with metal bars on 13 September. Dickson Ssentongo routinely read the 7 a.m. news bulletins for Prime Radio station in the Luganda language, but now becomes the second journalist to be killed in the country in three days. On Saturday, the journalist Paul Kiggundu was beaten to death by taxi-drivers. Both Kiggindu and Ssetongo died in hospital some hours after being attacked. No arrests have been made in either case.
14 Sep 2010 | Index Index, minipost
A correspondent for Uganda’s Tower of Praise Radio was beaten to death by motorcycle taxi drivers on the night of 11 September. Paul Kiggundu was ambushed by the bikers, known locally as boda-boda, while he was filming some of them demolishing a house. The drivers accused Kiggundu of working for the police, despite his attempts to identify himself as a journalist. The building was reportedly the home of another driver, Frank Kagayi, who the attackers accuse of committing murder and robbery. The journalist died of internal bleeding at Kalisizo Government Hospital. No arrests have been made.
27 Aug 2010 | Index Index, minipost
The Constitutional Court has declared Uganda’s law on sedition null and void. Journalists will no longer be legally prevented from criticising President Yoweri Museveni or his government. A panel of five judges ruled on 25 August that the law violated the public’s right to free speech, which is guaranteed in Uganda’s constitution. The executive secretary of the Media Council of Uganda Haruna Kanaabi said that the law has often been used as a way of silencing dissent, particularly ahead of next year’s general elections. The government has announced that it will be appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision.
