28 April 2008

Alert

Top journalist released from detention, his offices raided and materials seized


Incident details

Andrew Mwenda

(Media Institute/IFEX) - Renowned Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda was freed on police bond late on 26 April 2008, after a thorough search by police of his newspaper offices. Mwenda was also ordered to report to police on 29 April.

Police claimed the arrest and search was in connection with seditious material the journalist allegedly possessed and intended to publish in his newspaper, "The Independent".

Mwenda told the Media Institute on 28 April that he suspected the police wanted to prevent publication of a story based on interviews with 17 suspects detained by police in camps commonly known as "safe houses". The interviews were conducted a week prior to the raid.

During the raid, police confiscated equipment including computers, laptops and audio CDs. The raid came a week after Mwenda accused President Yoweri Museveni of corruption on a popular radio talk show.

It remains to be seen whether he will be charged, and if so for what alleged offence. Mwenda has a petition pending in the Uganda constitutional court challenging the validity of the offence of sedition that is yet to be concluded.

For a detailed account of the raid, see: http://www.eastafricapress.net

Updates the Mwenda case: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/93046



Source:

Media Institute
College House, Koinange Str.
PO Box 46356
00100 Nairobi
Kenya
mediainst (@) wananchi.com
Phone: +254 20 2229822
Fax: +254 20 2252373
 

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More on this case

Two other journalists arrested for "possessing seditious materials" and "publishing inflammatory materials"; photojournalist picked up during raid 30 April 2008 Top political journalist arrested, whereabouts unknown, after criticising president on talk show 28 April 2008

Uganda

Court acquits “Daily Monitor” editors 8 February 2012 Police officer shoots at journalist 26 January 2012 Radio journalist attacked at gunpoint in front of his family 25 January 2012 Three journalists assaulted as police arrest opposition politicians 23 January 2012 Police beat up journalist, delete photos and charge him with trespassing 13 January 2012 See all alerts: Uganda


 
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