Ugandan journalist accused of sedition for Garang statements released on bail News
Ugandan journalist accused of sedition for Garang statements released on bail

[JURIST] Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda [Wikipedia profile], a reporter for KFM Radio, was arraigned and released on bail Monday, following his plea of not guilty to charges of sedition, allegedly committed when he "uttered words with the intention to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite dissatisfaction against the person of the president." Mwenda was one of the first local reporters to publicly criticize the Ugandan government concerning the death of Sudanese Vice-President John Garang [Wikipedia profile]. Mwenda alleged that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni [official profile], a close friend of Garang's, was responsible for his death through sheer incompetence. Museveni had lent Garang the aircraft he was flying in when the crash occurred [JURIST report]. KFM Radio was shut down Thursday following Mwenda's remarks, and he was then arrested on Friday. The Ugandan government announced Monday that it was allowing KFM Radio to reopen soon [Daily Monitor report], once the government's investigation of the station was completed. Mwenda's next hearing is set for August 29. Uganda's Daily Monitor, for which Mwenda is also a political reporter, has local coverage. Reuters has more.

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