Five directors and three editors of the Red Pepper have today been denied bail by Buganda Road magistrate James Mawanda Eremye and sent back to Luzira Prison till December 19.
The eight were arrested in November after publication of a story which indicated that President Museveni wants to cause the overthrow of the Rwandan government led by President Paul Kagame.
The accused are Richard Tusiime, James Mujuni, Johnson Musinguzi, Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Francis Tumusiime, Ben Byarabaha, Richard Kintu and Patrick Mugumya, all of who were charged with offensive communication, defamation and disturbing the peace of President Yoweri Museveni, his brother General Caleb Akandwanaho and the Minister for Security Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde.
They were also charged with the November 20 publication of information that is reportedly prejudicial to national security.
Appearing before court earlier in the day, prosecution led by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) lawyer Abdulsalaam Waiswa asked for more time to comprehensively study the documents submitted by defence lawyer, Max Mutabingwa.
According to Mr. Waiswa, the accused persons, if released, would interfere with investigations and continue to publish stories that would cause a threat to national security.
Speaking to journalists after court session, counsel Mutabingwa said he would consult his clients to know if they want to appeal to the High Court in case they are not released on bail.
