President Museveni has given a detailed response to the African Union Commission on Human and People’s Rights regarding allegations of abusing media freedom.
The president made the responses through the Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuzi who led Uganda’s delegation to the AU meeting on human and people’s rights in Gambia.
Museveni according to inspectors recently received an ugly letter from the AU Commission on Human and People’s Rights accusing his government of being a serious abuser of human rights. In particular, the AU letter referred to the recent arrest, sentencing and caging of a city lawyer Eron Kiiza who was arrested by the General Court Martial on allegations of contempt of court. The same ugly letter indicated that Museveni’s government has no respect to media freedom and above all, even women with disabilities and student demonstrators have not been spared on the alleged violations menu. In response to these allegations filed to this commission by Civil Society Organizations, the President through Kafuzi accompanied by Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the African Union also the country’s ambassador to Addis-Ababa, H.E Rebecca Amuge Otengo, said that his government fully supports media freedom.
“Government strongly believes that safety of journalists is essential to provide for the fundamental right to freedom of expression. The government has put in place effective laws and measures and established a safe and enabling environment for journalists to work without hindrances” he said.
To prove his assertions, Museveni outlined to the commission that his government had for example enacted laws such as The Press and Journalists Act which established the Media Council that is mandated to regulate the conduct of journalists, arbitrate disputes between scribes and the public, the state and the media.
“Additionally, my government holds accountable any government officer who violates the rights of journalists. Government [however], urges the AU commission to partner with member states to find solutions to the growing misuse of social media” he said.
ENTER ERON KIIZA’S DETENTION
Kafuzi informed the meeting that contempt of court case preferred against this lawyer by the military court was not an invention by this court but instead, it’s an offense recognized under the laws of Uganda.
“The constitution recognizes it as a serious offense and the General Court Martial had every right to arrest him until the Supreme Court ordered otherwise. This sentence of contempt of court ensures decorum and proper conduct all judicial officers with candor and respect of all parties involved. The hearing of his case in the civilian court is [evidence] enough to show that Uganda respects the law” he said.
The deputy AG assured the African Union that Uganda is a democracy governed by laws. He cited Chapter Four of the constitution which talks about the Bill of rights and provides for protection and promotion of freedom of expression, guarantee access to justice by all Ugandans.
“During the trial of Kizza Besigye, the conduct of advocate Eron Kiiza was deemed contemptuous and therefore he was convicted of a case of contempt of court and was given a custodial sentence” he explained, adding that Kiiza however, later applied to civilian courts for his freedom.
