The journalists before Chief Magistrate James Ereemye Mawanda
Emotions ran high at Buganda Road Chief Magistrates' Court this afternoon as court further remanded five directors and three editors of a local tabloid, the Red Pepper.
Chief Magistrate James Ereemye Mawanda remanded the group until December 19 to scrutinise submission of both the defence lawyers and prosecution to determine whether or not to grant them bail.
The remanded are Arinaitwe Rugyendo, 41, Richard Kintu, 33, James Mujuni, 42, Patrick Mugumya, 40, Richard Tusiime, 45, Johnson Musinguzi alias Byarabaha, 44, Ben Byarabaha, 38 and Francis Tumusiime, 43.
“I have received lengthy submissions from both parties in the matter to look into before I give my ruling. Therefore, I will need time to study them. For that matter the case is adjourned to December 19 and the accused are remanded until then,” Mawanda ruled.
Shortly after the accused were remanded, their relatives broke down and cried, as they left the courtroom.
The charges
The journalists are accused of defaming President Yoweri Museveni, his brother Gen. Salim Saleh and security minister Henry Tumukunde.
Prosecution alleges that the accused on November 20, at their head offices in Mukono with intent to defame the trio unlawfully and without justification published an article dubbed “M7 plots to overthrow Kagame-Rwanda”.
The state claims that the article portrayed the trio as plotting to overthrow the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
According to state attorney Abdulsalam Waiswa, the publication injured the trio’s reputation, disturbed their peace and also 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.
