L-R: Monitor Publications Ltd lawyer James Nangwala speaks to the Daily Monitor Managing Editor Don Wanyama and reporters Richard Wanambwa and Risdel Kasasira at the CIID headquarters in Kibuli yesterday.
In Summary
Police say Don Wanyama, Risdel Kasasira and Richard Wanambwa refused to cooperate and divulge information.
Kampala
Police yesterday charged three Monitor journalists
with refusal to cooperate and divulge information in relation to the
Gen. David Sejusa affair.
Managing Editor Don Wanyama and reporters Risdel
Kasasira and Richard Wanambwa endured a full day’s interrogation. At one
point, the police suddenly changed their status from potential
witnesses to potential suspects when it asked them late in the afternoon
to sign charge-and-caution statements.
Mr James Nangwala, the Daily Monitor lawyer, said
his clients were also charged with refusal to avail a document contrary
to the Police Act. “My clients gave them all possible information and
explained why they could not name their source. We were, however,
surprised that they were later charged contrary to the summon which
called them to give light and help in investigations,” Mr Nangwala said.
The journalists were questioned by a group of 10
detectives led by Mr Fred Mulondo of the Media and Political Crimes
unit. Police wanted to establish the source of Gen. Sejusa’s letter to
the Director General of ISO.
Mr Wanyama later said naming sources of
information contravenes journalists’ ethical obligations. “The police
largely wanted to know the source of the letter. We politely told them
we could not divulge such information since it would be a breach of our
trust with the public and our sources. We also made it clear that the
law protects us,” he said.
Police ordered the trio to re-appear today
(Wednesday) at 11am. The letter was instructing the Internal Security
Organisation boss to investigate claims of an alleged plot to
assassinate top government officials who are perceived to be opposed to
the so-called ‘Muhoozi project.’
No comments:
Post a Comment