Red Pepper Journalists Released on Bail

Late November this year, the Red Pepper offices in Uganda were locked down and some of it’s journalists arrested. According to our sources, they were charged with offensive communication, disturbing the peace of the president, Salim Saleh and the security minister, Henry Tumukunde. These Red Pepper Journalists have been granted bail.

There arrest was based on a story that was published on the 20th of November. It is said that on this date, the journalists made a publication with a headline that showed His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, General Salim Saleh and Lt General Tumukunde as people who have come together and formed a plan to overthrow the president of Rwanda. The journalists were thus accused of spoiling the reputation of the said parties.

The offices were closed, laptops, phones and computers were also confiscated. The said parties where then transported to Nalufenya police station. After that, they were transferred to Luzira, were they have spent a total of three weeks now. There were very many views concerning the issue, some of which indicated that the journalists obtained this piece of news from their other sources.

Fresh news coming in indicates that they have been released on a non-cash bail of 20 million Uganda shillings each. The issue has also been moved to next year, on the 19th of January.

THE RED PEPPER JOURNALISTS ARRESTED

According to our various sources, some of the accused parties are; Patrick Mugumya (Director Operations), Richard Tusiime (Managing Director),Arinaitwe Rugyendo (Director and chief marketing officer), James Mujuni (Journalist), Ben Byarabaha (Senior editor), Francis Tumusiime (Special project editor)

The Ghafla crew will keep you updated as the story develops.