The Director of Criminal Investigations through operative Benard Sisye Kiirya has threatened to arrest a number journalists who will fail to record a statement on February 8, 2019 at CID headquarters Kibuli.
Kiirya wrote to journalists of some of the online media houses to record the statements in relation to a case of defamation. “Treat this matter as urgent. Failure to appear will result into your arrest using all possible legal means,” he wrote in a letter dated February 5, 2019 to Mr Richard Wanambwa, the Editor Eagle Online.
The officer did not however, mention the complainant in his letter, something some journalists said was unprofessional. Asked about why police seem to be interested in the arresting journalists, the officer who delivered summons at Eagle said it was the Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda using his influence to make sure journalists are arrested.
A source said lawyers of Dr. Kasekende were the ones that presented the complaint against journalist to the officer. “The lawyers are acting on behalf of Kasekende, a police officer who preferred to remain anonymous said.
He said Kasekende’s lawyers accuse the online media platforms of defaming him as they reported on the on-going probe of BoU over the controversial closure of seven commercial banks between 1993 and 2016.
“Pursuant to section 27A of the Police Act, you are required to report to CRIMINAL Investigations Directorate headquarters in Kibuli on Friday 08th February, 2019 at 10:00hrs to assist in providing valuable information in respect to the matter being investigated. You will report to the Department of Electronic Counter Measures for further guidance,” the letter further reads.
Eagle Online has been reporting about the role played by Kasekende and others in the sale of commercial banks who investigation is still on going. Eagle Online also reported that the IGG was investigating his wealth following leaked documents that showed him transacting billions of shillings but also owning properties in Kampala and Wakiso worth billions of shillings.