KAMPALA – Drone Media journalist, Mr. Pidson Kareire has on Friday, June 14 been granted a non-cash bail of UGX10M by Makindye Grade 1 magistrate Okumu Muwonge.
The case has been adjourned to July 1 at 10:00 am.
Mr Kareire was arrested on Wednesday, June 11 and charged with criminal libel, offensive communication under sections 179 and 25 of the penal code Act. Cap 120 and Computer Misuse Act of 2011 respectively.
The libel charges, part of Uganda’s penal code, carry a potential two-year jail term, and the “offensive communication” charges, filed under Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act, are punishable with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of UGX480,000($130), according to the charge sheet and CPJ’s review of the laws.
It is alleged that Mr Kareire published defamatory stories about Middle East Consultants Ltd on his online news media about how many prospective workers were conned of their money and hardly given the intended jobs.
Human Rights Network for Journalist – Uganda (HRNJ-U) and Lawyer Daniel Walyemera are defending Mr. Pidson in what is perceived to be tramped up charges by the labour export company whereas Mr Charles Nsubuga from Muwema and Co Advocates is representing Middle East Consultants Ltd.
