The
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the arrest and incommunicado detentionof a radio journalist in Uganda. According to Uganda
Journalists Union (UJU), journalist James Kasirivu of Endigito Radio station was arrested by plain clothed
security personnel on 8 May, and detained incommunicado without any charges
against him.
The radio station is based
in the town of Mbarara in western Uganda. UJU said no clear reasons have been
given for his arrest. Relatives and friends who tried to see him were turned
away. Journalist Kasirivu runs a popular talk-show program called “world
express”.
“We condemn this flagrant violation of
the rights of James Kasirivu and call on the authorities to clearly state the
reasons in relation with his arrest or release him immediately and
unconditionally,” said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa
Director.
UJU considers
the arrest as a climax of orchestrated efforts and threats by local security
operatives to clamp down on the
journalist whom they accuse of giving a platform to opposition groups or people with divergent views to
criticize the government. His talk show has been shut down before after
receiving numerous threats from the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC).
For more
information, please contact IFJ on + 221 33 867 95 86/87
The IFJ represents more than
600.000 journalists in 134 countries