5 Journalists Charged Over Bobi Wine Radio Show
The radiomen and their lawyers at Jinja police station
Five employees of the Jinja based Baba FM were on Tuesday briefly detained by the police over alleged incitement of violence.
The journalists; ; Aggrey Irongo, the station’s manager, Atanansi Kalyowa, the political show host, Hussein Muyonjo alias Swengere, the radio’s traffic scheduler, Alton Kasolo, and Hassan Muwanga, both presenters of the morning show called “Kokolyoko” were summoned to Jinja central police station where they recorded statements in regard to Kyadondo East and presidential aspirant, Robert Kyagulanyi’s recent appearance on the radio’s talks show, Council Yaife.
According to Muyonjo, the police asked them to explain how Kyagulanyi managed to access the radio station on July 18 without notifying security as earlier agreed.
“They were also accusing me of bringing a dog to attack police officers but I was in the studio, I was not in charge of what was going on outside,” Muyonjo said.
Muyonjo adds that they further asked him to explain how one of Kyagulanyi’s supporters carried a coffin and dumped it at Baba FM’s parking yard premises.
Julius Galisonga, their lawyer argues that it is the role of police to ensure law and order and it was not in his client’s mandate to control crowds which gathered at the radio station while Kyagulanyi was being hosted on the radio’s talk show.
“The charges that are being leveled against these people are trumped up charges, they are only intended to intimidate, to bully, to instill fear amongst bonafide employees of the mass media. If they make the mistake and take these charges to court, I believe they will be dismissed,” Galisonga said.
However, Kiira regional police spokesperson Abbey Ngako says that, before the talk show, the suspects who are also presenters were using the radio programs to rally masses during Bobi wine’s show at the station.
Early last week, Baba FM’s programs director, Damulira Twahir was detained at Nalufenya police station and released two days later.
Meanwhile, four comedians of the Bizonto comedy group have been released on police bond, five days after they were arrested from Radio Simba premises in Bukoto, Kampala.
The four members of the Bizonto comedy group and local music artist, Gerald Kiwewa are out on police bond.
Julius Sserwanja aka Kidomoole, Marcelo Mbabaali, Peter Sssaabakaaki (Omuzinyuuzi) and Gold Ki Matono, aka Opeto have been in detention at the Kireka based Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
The quartet is facing charges of promoting sectarianism. Also released from the same facility was musician, Gerald Kiweewa who was arrested over a song ‘Nantaba’ that the police say incites violence.
Their release followed an order by Buganda Road Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis for their unconditional release.
