The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded two Journalists to Luzira Prison on charges of publishing information without a valid broadcasting License.
Dickson Ashley Mubiru the Managing Director Grace Publications, Alirabaki Ssengoba a News Writer at Grape Vine Media were arraigned before the Court presided over by the Chief Magistrate, Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday. Their charges are on two separate cases files.
The Prosecution alleges that Mubiru and Sengooba and others still at large on June 13th 2024 at Kampala District published a story titled “, Inside story; How top legislators shared 5 million Dollar Vitol Oil Bribe” in Grapevine Online media without a valid license from Uganda Communications Commission.
On another file, the Prosecution alleges that on May 15th 2023 Gape Vine Media within Kampala published a story titled “Lawyer Kabali Justice Nkonge Clash over Court case file”without a valid operating license from UCC. The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecution’s State Attorney, Ivan Kyazze told Court that investigations in this matter are still ongoing. Sengooba and Mubiru ‘s lawyer Nasser Kibazo wasn’t ready to apply for bail saying he didn’t have the necessary documentation. He has asked for a shorter adjournment to apply for bail until today June 21st 2024.
Following the said story about Justice Rugadya and Lawyer Kalali, the Judiciary issued a press statement denying any clashing between the two.
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This article appears to be mixing issues.
It seems to suggest that a licence is required to expose corruption (…and therefore, all whistleblowers better keep their mouths shut unless they have a licence for exposing corruption).
Why describe the nature of their content as though it’s tied to their arrest for operating without a licence?
Just get the required licences in order to avoid being arrested, instead of making it seem as though gavumenti is now disturbing those who expose corruption.
If that is what’s actually happening, then please be more explicit about it and bring facts as proof, instead of using crafty wording to mislead unsuspecting members of the public into thinking that those who expose corruption are now being arrested for exposing corruption and that a licence is now required to expose corruption.