Kampala, Uganda – The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has condemned the continued detention of two journalists, Arirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru, who were arrested on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, while performing their duties.
According to the spokesperson of Uganda Journalists Association, Ronald Kabuye, the detention of the said journalists is a clear violation of their rights and freedoms. “We demand their unconditional release and will continue to defend their rights and freedoms until they regain their freedom.” Said Kabuye
Kabuye also noted that the journalists’ arrest and detention were in relation to two news stories they published, one involving a dispute between a lawyer and a High Court judge, and another implicating the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) in corruption scandals in Parliament.
“It’s unacceptable that the police have seized their work tools and are grilling them to disclose their sources,” Kabuye said. “This is a clear attempt to suppress critical journalism and undermine the freedom of the press.”
Kabuye emphasized that the UJA will not stand by while journalists are persecuted for doing their job. “The pen is mightier than the gun, and we will continue to fight for the rights of journalists to report freely and without fear of persecution,” he said.
