afrol News, 25 September - Two editors of Uganda's weekly newsmagazine, "The Independent", have been arrested, charged with sedition and were released by the court on bail on Wednesday.

According to reports, 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.

Reports said from Kiira Road Police, the two were taken to the police's Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Kibuli. Within minutes, the journalists were taken to the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court and charged with sedition.

Their charge stems from a cartoon the magazine published on 21 August 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 the 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 US$100 cash bail. Patrick wa Mucoori ("The Independent" news editor), Godrick Dambyo ("The 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.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more