KTN Television, current employers, of Joy Doreen Biira and one of the biggest stations in Kenya has vowed to fight what it has called violations of journalists’ rights.
“We must stand up against dictatorship and journalists’ violation #FreeJoyDoreen,” the station tweeted today.
“It’s so sad what I’ve witnessed today with my own eyes — part of the palace of the kingdom I’m from, the Rwenzururu Kingdom, burning down. It felt like watching your heritage deplete before my eyes…..” KTN journalist, Doreen Biira wrote on Facebook yesterday, reacting to the invasion of the Rwenzururu palace that left over 60 dead. Ms Biira posted and it is what has earned her to coolers curtsey of both Uganda police and the army
In addition to the post, she shared with her followers photographs of some of what she had seen and this brought her on collision with security.
She was arrested last night together with five others including her fiancé who she had just introduced to the family in a traditional ceremony. Despite earlier promise to release her by police, she is still under detention at Kasese Police station.
Earlier in the day there was some hope of releasing her when the Flying squad police took her to her parents for a house search, though after the search, she was returned to the station where she is still under detention.
“Thing is men have been killed. Not just men but possibly bread winners of families from both sides – the army and the royal guards. Importantly I have watched part of my heritage burn up in flames from nearby…..” she added.
