Plea for detained journalist rejected
Jun 15, 2009
THE Attorney General yesterday rejected the application by the wife of a journalist said to be detained by the military.
By Anne Mugisa
THE Attorney General yesterday rejected the application by the wife of a journalist said to be detained by the military.
Evelyn Atenyo applied to the High Court last week asking the Government and the army to produce her husband, Patrick Otim, who works with Mega FM.
Justice Tabaro, who handled the application, ordered the Government to produce Otim before him yesterday.
But Godfrey Madete, the state attorney representing the Attorney General, said Atenyo’s application was defective and therefore the State would not act on it.
Atenyo’s lawyer, Laudislaus Rwakafuuzi, tried in vain to have court force Madete to explain where Otim was.
Recently, media reports said army spokesperson Maj. Felix Kulayigye issued a statement, saying Otim was arrested after intelligence reports linked him to people involved in rebel activities.
He said some of the people arrested with Otim had been charged and others, including Otim, would soon appear in court.
Rwakafuuzi argued that court had already issued an order to produce Otim and the only thing the Attorney General could do was to appeal against the ruling.
“We are seeking to safeguard the liberty of a citizen under restraint. The judge said that he would give his ruling on the matter today.
Recently, media reports said army spokesperson Maj. Felix Kulayigye, issued a statement saying Otim was arrested after intelligence reports linked him to people involved in rebel activities.
He said some of the people arrested with Otim had already been charged and others, including Otim, would soon appear in court.
THE Attorney General yesterday rejected the application by the wife of a journalist said to be detained by the military.
Evelyn Atenyo applied to the High Court last week asking the Government and the army to produce her husband, Patrick Otim, who works with Mega FM.
Justice Tabaro, who handled the application, ordered the Government to produce Otim before him yesterday.
But Godfrey Madete, the state attorney representing the Attorney General, said Atenyo’s application was defective and therefore the State would not act on it.
Atenyo’s lawyer, Laudislaus Rwakafuuzi, tried in vain to have court force Madete to explain where Otim was.
Recently, media reports said army spokesperson Maj. Felix Kulayigye issued a statement, saying Otim was arrested after intelligence reports linked him to people involved in rebel activities.
He said some of the people arrested with Otim had been charged and others, including Otim, would soon appear in court.
Rwakafuuzi argued that court had already issued an order to produce Otim and the only thing the Attorney General could do was to appeal against the ruling.
“We are seeking to safeguard the liberty of a citizen under restraint. The judge said that he would give his ruling on the matter today.
Recently, media reports said army spokesperson Maj. Felix Kulayigye, issued a statement saying Otim was arrested after intelligence reports linked him to people involved in rebel activities.
He said some of the people arrested with Otim had already been charged and others, including Otim, would soon appear in court.