Court extends bail for Red Pepper journalists

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court has extended bail for eight local tabloid, the Red Pepper Publication Limited employees accused of defaming President Yoweri Museveni.

They include the tabloid's managing director, Richard Tusiime, finance director Johnson Musinguzi, director in charge of operations Patrick Mugumya and chief marketing officer Arinatiwe Rgyendo.

Others are Richard Kintu, the deputy news editor, James Mujuni, a journalist, Ben Byarabaha, a senior editor and Francis Tumusiime, the special project editor.

Their bail was on Friday extended by principal Grade One Samuel Kagoda on behalf of chief magistrate James Ereemye Mawanda, who was reportedly indisposed.

Uganda Communication Commission's  (UCC) lawyer Abdul-Salaam Waiswa, who is prosecuting the case told court that inquiries are still ongoing.

Kagoda adjourned the case to February 14.
 
Prosecution alleges that the accused on November 20, at their head offices in Mukono, with intend to defame President Museveni, his brother Gen. Salim Saleh and security minister Gen. Henry Tumukunde, unlawfully and without justification, published an article dubbed "M7 plots to overthrow Kagame-Rwanda".

According to state, the publication injured the trio's reputation, disturbed their peace and subjected them to hatred, contempt and ridicule.

The State further alleges that the accused also distributed a headline story regarding military operations strategy and troop location, which publication is likely to disrupt public order and security.