KAMPALA — The Uganda Editors’ Guild has called for a quick and transparent investigation into matters that led to the arrest of Mr. Samson Kasumba, a news anchor at NBS Television.
Police on Monday, April 20 night arrested Mr. Kasumba, who has since been detained at Kira Police Station in Kampala before conducting a search at his residence.
Police officers from the Crimes Intelligence Unit have also prevented his lawyers from accessing him or witnessing a search they are undertaking at his Naalya residence.
Police Spokesman Fred Enanga on Tuesday April 21 said Mr. Kasumba’s arrest is not in anyway connected to his journalistic work, but he’s being investigated together with others for alleged “subversive activities”.
Mr. Enanga added that detectives from Electoral and Political offenses department were interrogating him.
The Ugandan editors, under their umbrella body – the Uganda Editors’ Guild, in a statement issued on Tuesday April 21 asked police to ensure that Mr. Kasumba gets access to legal counsel and that all his other rights are respected.
“The Uganda Editors’ Guild calls on the Uganda Police Force to conduct a quick and transparent investigation into the matter while ensuring that Mr Kasumba has access to legal counsel, and all his other rights are respected,” a statement issued by Mr Alex B. Atuhaire, on behalf of the Interim Chairman, reads in part.
Mr. Atuhaire said that whereas Editors are aware of comments by the police spokesperson Mr. Fred Enanga that Mr. Kasumba is being held in connection with allegations unrelated to his work as a journalist, “we shall remain appraised of the matter and take this opportunity to remind all Ugandans, including those in positions of authority, that #JournalismIsNotACrime”.
Human Rights Lawyer Nicolas Opiyo said police’s actions of denying Mr. Kasumba legal counsel were a continuation of the violation of the TV journalist’s rights.
Mr. Kasumba was still in police custody by Tuesday evening.
Full Statement
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Uganda Editors’ Guild statement on arrest of Samson Kasumba
The Uganda Editors’ Guild has noted with concern reports of the arrest of Samson Kasumba, a news anchor at NBS Television. We are also aware of comments by the police spokesperson that Mr Kasumba is being held in connection with allegations unrelated to his work as a journalist.
The Uganda Editors’ Guild calls on the Uganda Police Force to conduct a quick and transparent investigation into the matter while ensuring that Mr Kasumba has access to legal counsel, and all his other rights are respected.
We shall remain appraised of the matter and take this opportunity to remind all Ugandans, including those in positions of authority, that #JournalismIsNotACrime.
Alex B. Atuhaire
For Interim Chairman
Uganda Editors’ Guild
Kampala, 21 April 2020
