UJA : Protest of Continued Police Detention of Journalists Arirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru

We strongly protest the continued detention of journalists Arirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru of Grape Vine Publications and Ono Bwiino Newspaper, who were arrested on Tuesday, 18 June 2024, and detained at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) while in the line of duty.

The duo’s detention is in relation to the publication of two news stories: one depicting a bitter row between lawyer Steven Kalali and High Court Judge Her Lordship Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya, and another implicating the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in alleged corruption scandals in Parliament.

Upon the journalists’ arrest and detention, they had gone to the police responding to summons that required them to report themselves. Shortly after their arrest, the police swiftly moved to their offices in Kampala Central Division, searched them, and took possession of their work tools, including laptop computers and phones.

It has since come to our knowledge that the detainees have been subjected to serious grilling to disclose the sources of their stories, which is journalistically unethical, unprofessional, and unacceptable.

Press freedom, as a cornerstone of democracy in any society, including Uganda, encompasses freedom of expression that should be protected by both state and non-state actors, as opposed to imposing limitations on the same. We feel that the detention of these journalists is an attempt to suppress critical journalism that seeks to provide solutions to suspected gaps in society.

In view of the above, we request the unconditional release of the journalists, as they have spent two days in police detention without being produced before court, hence violating the 48-hour rule mandated by the Constitution.

In any case, the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) is determined to defend the detainees’ rights and freedoms until they regain their liberty.

“The Pen is Mightier than the Gun.”

RONALD KABUYE, PRO/Spokesperson, Uganda Journalists Association (UJA