Two editors of Uganda’s weekly newsmagazine, The Independent, were arrested, charged with sedition and released on bail Wednesday, September 23, 2009.
The Independent’s Managing Editor Andrew Mujuni Mwenda and Editor Charles Bichachi were asked to report to Kiira Road Police Station, near their office in Kamwokya, about four kilometers from Kampala City centre.
From Kiira Road Police, the two were taken to Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, about five three kilometers away. Within minutes the journalists were taken to Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court and charged with sedition.
Their charge stems from a cartoon the magazine published on August 21 showing President Yoweri Museveni seated in a chair ticking a list of things his party is doing ahead of the 2011 General Election. One such thing is introduction of ghosts on the voters register after re-appointing the Electoral Commission.
The two, represented by Kampala lawyer Bob Kasango, were each granted a $100 cash bail. Patrick wa Mucoori (Independent news editor), Godrick Dambyo (Independent advertising manager) and Hussein Kashilingi (lawyer) stood surety for them.
This is the fourth case Mwenda, founder of the 21-month old The Independent, faces in Court. He is already charged with promoting sectarianism, sedition and incitement.
He risks over 20 years in jail on conviction in all the cases.
UGANDA POLICE
POLICE FORM 53
Station: CID HEADQUARTEPS
Date 9th September 2009
REF: E/312/2009
CHARGE
UGANDA Versus:
A1 Andrew Mwenda Mujuni M/A Aged 36 Years, Managing Editor of Independent Magazine, Resident of Plot I5B Lower Kololo, Central Division in Kampala District.
A2: Odoobo Charles Bichachi M/A Aged 40 Years, Editor of Independent Magazine, Resident of Nasuuti Village, Mukono District.
STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
SEDITION Contrary to Sections 39 (1) (a) and 40(1) (c) of the Penal Code Act CAP 120
PARTICULARS OF OFFTCE
Andrew Mwenda Mujuni and Odoobo Charles Bichachi between the 21st and the 27th August, 2009 with an intention to bring into hatred, contempt and to excite disaffection against the person of the President, published on Page 5 of the Independent Magazine Issue 074 under a subject title Weekly Spoof a Carton with the following seditious words:
NRM 2011 CAMPAIGN STRATEGY
Important things to do
- …………………………
- Prepare Court case on Otunnu/Besigye
- Mutale to arrange Kiboko Squad
- Introduce ghosts on Voter’s register
Officer Preferring Charge
Richard Buteera
Director of Public Prosecution
http://www.eastafricapress.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=0
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