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MPs demand release of Red Pepper Editors

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Legislators have this afternoon demand that government releases the jailed editors of Red Pepper publication.
MPs across the political divide took on government for what they termed as intentioned crack on the media by government and its agencies like Uganda Communication Commission.
Buhweju legislator Francis Mwijukye raised this as matter of national importance and said that about a month ago the Red Pepper publication was raided, directors arrested, radio station was also closed.
“The attack on Red Pepper can’t be seen as an isolated case as if it is limited to Red Pepper, as we talk now; the editor of Monitor is out on bail Charles Bichachi, the Editor of New Vision (Felix Osike) is out on bail. Top Radio has just issued a statement that they can’t host anybody critical of government specifically the Opposition”
He further revealed that when they raided Red Pepper, 370 phones were taken from staff, 100 computers confiscated, over 5000 people lost jobs and the case they were charged with is that they annoyed Generals Salim Saleh, Henry Tumukunde and Yoweri Museveni
“They were taken to Nalufenya for a week and from Nalufenya, they were taken to court and have been remanded for three weeks”.
Busia Municipality Geoffrey Macho MP linked the closure to chocking of the media warning that it indicates hard times ahead.
“This is suffocation of the media, we may think that this is limited to Red Pepper but as I talk now, the radio station in Kanungu was closed the other day” Mr Macho said.
He added “I wanted to know whether it is in order for this August House that is before courts of law”.
Busiro East legislator Medard Ssegona told the house that the matter at hand is critical, “we don’t want to talk about the matter in court. There is a high level of impunity that we are allowing to be implemented amongst government institutions”.
Ssegona also revealed that UCC has refused to renew licenses of almost all media houses in the country and that one is used as a method of gagging them when it comes to critical issues.
“The impunity amongst government institutions in this case UCC is denying government revenue, they don’t want to renew licenses in the process they keep these media houses guessing whether they will survive or not until the following day”.
UCC Executive Director, Eng. Geoffrey Mutabazi wasn’t available for a comment on allegations leveled against his agency.
However, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga directed the house to debate the matter so that a resolution would be directed at those concerned.

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