BACK FROM ABROAD: Oguttu leaving Kampala CPS yesterday

THE Monitor managing editor, Charles Onyango Obbo, was yesterday questioned for hours by the Police at the Kampala Central Police Station (CPS).

Anne Mugisa and Geoffrey Kamali report that he became the paper’s third editor to be questioned over the controversial helicopter crash story.

Interrogated on Monday were Joseph Were and Wanyama Wangah. They were released on Police bond after presenting Susan Wasagali, the company secretary, James Serugo, the business director, Sunday editor Odobo Bichachi and Wandera Ogalo, a Kampala lawyer, as sureties.

Editor-in-chief Wafula Oguttu and production editor David Ouma Balikoowa kept at the CPS as Obbo was being questioned. Oguttu had just returned from a trip abroad. Obbo reported to CPS at about midday and was questioned in the presence of the company lawyer, Alex Rezida. Balikoowa told reporters in Kampala yesterday the paper would resume production if the State gave them the permission.

For the sixth day running yesterday, the newspaper premises at Namuwongo, a city suburb, remained closed and under Police surveillance. But Obbo said yesterday he expected the paper to hit the streets again by the end of the week.

Balikoowa said, “We’ll not re-open until the Government, which closed us down, tells us to do so.”

Deputy CID chief Okoth Ochola said the files for Wanyama Wangah, Were and the author of the story, Frank Nyakairu, were sent to the DPP for perusal.
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