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Red Pepper directors, editors detained at Nalufenya
Red Pepper's Chief Commercial Officer, James Mujuni (centre) being dragged by security operatives on Tuesday November 21, 2017. Photo by Michael Kakumirizi
What you need to know:
- The five directors are; Richard Tusiime (CEO), Patrick Mugumya (CPO), Arinaitwe Rugyendo (CM0), James Mujuni (CCO) and Johnson Musinguzi Byarabaha (CFO).
The editors are; Ben Byarabaha (Managing Editor), Richard Kintu (News Editor) and Tumusiime Francis Tinywana (Bwino Newspaper Editor who doubles as General Manager).
The directors and editors of Pepper Publications Group who were picked from their offices on Tuesday by police, are detained at Nalufenya Police Detention Centre in Jinja.
The Tuesday operation was led by Kampala Metropolitan Commander, Mr Frank Mwesigwa.
According to the company’s lawyer, Mr Dickens Byamukama, all the five directors and top editors were driven to Nalufenya at around mid-night.
“All the directors plus three editors were taken to Nalufenya at around midnight after being detained at our office for close to 8 hours. The police say they are going to drive them back to Kampala today [Wednesday], so we are still waiting on them,” Mr Byamukama said.
The five directors are; Richard Tusiime (CEO), Patrick Mugumya (CPO), Arinaitwe Rugyendo (CM0), James Mujuni (CCO) and Johnson Musinguzi Byarabaha (CFO).
The editors are; Ben Byarabaha (Managing Editor), Richard Kintu (News Editor) and Tumusiime Francis Tinywana (Bwino Newspaper Editor who doubles as General Manager).
Mr Byamukama said all employees’ gadgets like phones and computers were confiscated.
According to a statement issued by Police spokesperson, Mr Emilian Kayima, the operation came on the heels of the publication of story that had grave implications on national and regional security and stability.
The story was titled “M7 plotting to overthrow Kagame-Rwanda.”
Mr Kayima says that the premises of news organisation have been secured and will remain cordoned off until further notice.
According to section 37 (1) of the Penal Code Act (Cap.120), a person who publishes or causes to be published in a book, newspaper, magazine, article or any other printed matter, information regarding military operations, strategies, troop location or movement, location of military supplies or equipment of the armed forces or of the enemy, which publication is likely to— (a) endanger the safety of any military installations, equipment or supplies or of the members of the armed forces of Uganda; (b) assist the enemy in its operations; or (c) disrupt public order and security, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.
