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AFEX Congratulates Ugandan Human Rights Group on Prestigious International Awards

Felicia Anthonio
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AFEX Congratulates Ugandan Human Rights Group on Prestigious International Awards

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) congratulates Uganda’s Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ-Uganda), on the receipt of the prestigious Lord Astor Award from the London-based Commonwealth Journalists Association. The award is in recognition of its outstanding contribution in defending free speech and press freedom in Uganda.

AFEX also applauds the National Coordinator of HRNJ-Uganda, Robert Ssempala, who received the European Union Human Rights Defenders Award for the year 2016 for his relentless effort in defending journalists’ rights in the country.

As a committed member of the continental body of freedom of expression organisations, AFEX acknowledges the tremendous effort of HRNJ-Uganda in press freedom advocacy. The HRNJ-Uganda has over the years, contributed immensely in defending persecuted journalists and advocating for a safe environment for journalists to carry out their work.

We are confident this award will motivate you as well as other human rights defenders to continue to work tirelessly to promote freedom of expression in Africa.

For more information about HRNJ-Uganda, kindly visit www.hrnjuganda.org.

AFEX Calls on Ugandan President to Safeguard Free Speech

Felicia Anthonio
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AFEX Calls on Ugandan President to Safeguard Free Speech

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a network of freedom of expression organizations on the continent, has petitioned Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, calling on him to make a commitment to protect and defend free speech in the face of the deteriorating freedom of expression situation and the abuse of freedom of assembly rights in Uganda.

The petition was motivated by the recent wave of attacks on the media, opposition leaders and supporters during the country’s elections, in the aftermath of the electioneering period and in the context of other major national events.

The petition highlights 26 incidents of freedom of expression violations that have been perpetrated with impunity in Uganda in 2016 alone (from January to the second week of May). The violations included arbitrary arrests, physical attacks, threats and intimidations, violations of human rights online as well as repeated shutdown of Internet access throughout the country.

The main perpetrators of these violations were the Ugandan police, the army and supporters of ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party who are believed to be acting on the orders of the President.

AFEX calls on the President to, among others, renew his commitment to promoting and defending free speech and to openly condemn the unjustifiable attacks on media professionals, opposition party officials and supporters and citizens who are critical of the government.

You can access the Full Petition addressed to the President of the Republic of Uganda here.

Trade Unions Drag Somali Government to ILO

Felicia Anthonio
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Trade Unions Drag Somali Government to ILO
This statement was originally published by nusoj.org on May 26, 2016

The International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Committee on Freedom of Association will be interrogating a delegation from the Federal Government of Somalia over violations of human and trade union rights.

This follows complaints by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) and the International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) on trade union rights attacks committed by the Ministries of Information and Labour of Somalia.

In November 2015, the Federal Government of Somalia were accused and found guilty of violating human and trade union rights, specifically intimidation and harassment of trade unionists, interference in trade union affairs, trade union discrimination, imposing government-sponsored persons on independent trade unions, suppressing freedoms of assembly and movement and carrying out reprisal against a trade union leader for cooperating and communicating with UN human rights mechanisms.

A government delegation led by Minister of Labour, Abdweli Ibrahim Mudey, and Minister of Information, Mohamed Abdi Hayir, arrived in Geneva to face a probe by the ILO elected tripartite body over union rights violations. It is first time that Somali government was subjected to ILO supervisory mechanism to answer all anti-trade union practices.

“We are very pleased that finally those in power who abused the national authority entrusted to them are going to be held accountable and they will have to explain their actions. It is a good start of accountability and also an important step taken to tackle impunity,” said NUSOJ Secretary General who is also currently the General Secretary of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU).

For sometime, the government had enjoyed “feel-good” ride with certain circles of the International Community without being asked specific, up-front and rigorous questions over its institutionalised attacks on trade union rights.

“Today our government is forced to spend badly needed resources of dozens of American dollars, which would be indispensible support to our droughts affected people, to try to defend indefensible violations it committed against its own citizens in order their constitutional, fundamental and international rights” added Osman.

NUSOJ and FESTU call on the Federal Government of Somalia to embrace the conclusions of the ILO in November 2015 and March 2016, and implement the recommendations as laid out. “Our government will create a better and peaceful future with democratic foundations with full respect of human rights by accepting and owning up to its wrong doings. This is a clean start that has been offered to our government but it is only possible if government implements to the letter all the recommendations” declared Osman.

With the support and sponsorship of ITUC, a powerful trade union delegation from Somalia is now on its way to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend 105th session of ILO Conference.

 

Uganda: Recent Wave of Office Break-ins- Civil Society Organizations Demand Government Action.

Felicia Anthonio
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This statement was originally issued on hrnj-uganda.org on May 23, 2016.

Civil Society Organizations have called upon the Ugandan Government to conduct swift and transparent investigations into the recent wave of office break-ins targeting human rights organizations, which has escalated to killing of the guards on duty.

This follows the break-in of the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) offices located in Bulange -a Kampala suburb, on 22nd May 2016, where unknown persons broke into the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director’s offices and made away with a number of documents. Other valuable items such as computers, laptops were left untouched which raises a lot of queries. The guard who was on duty that night was killed. The video footage shows four intruders in action.

HRAPF Executive Director, Adrian Jjuuko said the attack happened at night. That their TV set and all registration documents were stolen. He further stated that the matter was reported to police which took the body of the deceased guard.

The organizations include Chapter Four, Defend Defenders, Defenders Protection Initiative, Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Legal Aid Services Providers Network, SMUG, and the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders among others.

“We are deeply concerned about the series of break-ins that have targeted civil society organizations lately. The Ugandan government should ensure that those responsible for the brutal murder of HRAFP’S guard and the burglary are found and held accountable, and take steps to end this pattern of break-ins,” said Sheila Muwanga, Deputy Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI).

The break in at HRAPF follows a trend of similar occurrences on organizations involved in human rights work. They include; HURINET-Uganda, ACCU, FHRI, EHAHRDP, AGHA, HRNJ-Uganda, AFODE, Uganda Land Alliance, the NGO Forum, among others. Recently, on 11th April 2016, unknown persons attempted to break into the HRNJ-Uganda offices where camera footage shows four attackers using a lady to sedate the night guard before accessing the premises, though they were unable to enter the office, but made away with padlocks, tea flask and a torch.

The Executive Director of East and Horn of Africa (Defend Defenders) Hassan Shire and HURINET-Uganda and Muhammed Ndifuna described this spate of attacks on human rights defenders as intended to disrupt the work done by human rights activists and called the different players to remain firm.

“We are greatly concerned about the selective attack and deliberate crack down on civil society organisations in Uganda. Government should thoroughly and expeditiously investigate these inexplicable incidences and bring them to logical conclusions.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National  Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.

HRNJ-Uganda’s National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala wins EU HRDS Award 2016.

Felicia Anthonio
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HRNJ-Uganda’s National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala wins EU HRDS Award 2016.

 The National Coordinator of Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda), Robert Ssempala has won the European Union Human Rights Defenders Award for the year 2016 for his outstanding resilience and determination to promote and protect the universally recognized rights and fundamental freedoms in Uganda during the year 2015. The prestigious award was handed over to him by the Danish Ambassador H.E Mogens Perderson.

“Under his leadership, Human Rights Network for Journalists has supported a number of journalists who have been assaulted, imprisoned and targeted in the course of their work and in the fight for freedom of expression,” The Ambassador said during the EU Annual Human Rights Defenders Award ceremony, held at his residence at Kololo, in Kampala, attended by a number of Ambassadors.

Ambassador Morgen noted that HRNJ-Uganda has ensured that the many violations against media freedom remain in the limelight, adding that recently it was “closely involved in documenting cases of media practitioners being assaulted by both politicians and security forces during the election campaigns.”

He said the award signifies the EU’s recognition of the efforts by Human Rights Defenders who work tirelessly to fight human rights violations. “Congratulations Robert for emerging as the winner for this year! We hope that this recognition will propel you as well as other human rights defenders to greater performance.” Ambassador Morgen said on behalf of the EU Mission and Ambassadors in Uganda.

Accepting the award, the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala thanked the EU delegation for recognizing him and his team for the work they have done. “This a great feat in the ceaseless fight for freedom of expression and the press in the country amidst tough challenges, and this award justifies the increasing need for an environment free from pre-meditated violations of media freedoms and journalists’ rights in Uganda and beyond.”

Ssempala noted that the Award would help him and other defenders, “to remind the government; especially the security agencies, of their duty and obligation to protect and defend people’s rights while ensuring law and order. It is therefore unacceptable that today police officers in Uganda have rather become the key violators of fundamental freedoms especially freedom of speech, expression, assembly, association and of late freedom of worship, among others.”

Ambassador Pederson pointed that much as Freedom of Expression is an important tenant of democracy, it is faced with several impediments in Uganda. “Freedom of Expression is an important principle in any democracy. In Uganda, we have recently witnessed restrictions on the media-including shutting down the social media which has continued even after the elections. Some media houses have been intimidated and several journalists were assaulted, or injured during the course of their work. We call for tolerance of divergent political views and a constructive national dialogue.”

The European Union (EU) missions and delegation in Uganda established the Annual HRDs Award in 2012 to raise awareness on the work of human rights defenders (HRDs). The award recognizes and honors the achievements of an individual human rights defender in Uganda, who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights during the year. Nominations are received from Human Rights organizations and individuals active in Uganda, and the winner is selected by the EU heads of mission. Ssempala’ predecessor, Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala, won the award in 2013 when he was National Coordinator of HRNJ-Uganda.

On a similar excellence front, HRNJ-Uganda was on the 11th April, 2016 recognized by the Common Wealth Press Union (CPU) Media Trust when the CPU Chairman, Lord Black awarded the Organisation with the ‘Commonwealth Press Union Astor Award’ that was handed over to National Coordinator by the Deputy British High Commissioner H.E Susan Schockledge on the World Press Freedom Day 3rd May in Kampala.

Somalia: “Utter Dismay” Over Continuous Violation of Trade Union Rights- NUSOJ

Felicia Anthonio
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This statement was originally published on nusoj.org on May 16, 2016

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today expressed utter dismay and frustration by the actions of officials of the Federal Government of Somalia for their continued violations of the right to freedom of association and undue interference in internal union affairs in a desperate bid to promote “yellow” unionism and destroy existence of free and independent trade unionism.

The Federal Government, through its Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism, has been actively involved in backing media employers in the past 4 months to organise bogus “elective General Assembly of NUSOJ” in order to turn an independent trade union of journalists to a “yellow” union by crowning media managers as “elected union leaders”.

“Yellow” union is purportedly a “worker” organization which is dominated or influenced by employers or a government, and is therefore not an independent trade union. “Yellow” unions are contrary to international labour law, particularly article 2 of ILO Convention 98, which Somalia ratified on 20 March 2014. Such unions are currently outlawed in many countries due to their use as agents for interference with independent unions. “Yellow” unions persist only with authoritarian governments.

The latest actions of a series of violations is threats of arrests and possible physical violence to be meted against member journalists of NUSOJ who organised themselves to protest peacefully in front of the Ministry of Information against organised & institutionalised union attacks led by the Minister of Information Mohamed Abdi Hayir and his officials, and police will be used against protesting journalists because they do not have “prior authorisation” to stage the protest.

This denial of the right to protest peacefully is a clear violation of the provisional Constitution of Federal Republic of Somalia. Clause 1, Article 20 of Somali Constitution stipulates, “Every person has the right to organize and participate in meetings, and to demonstrate and protest peacefully, without requiring prior authorization”.

NUSOJ is furthermore disturbed by unlawful threats against its members both employed by the Ministry of Information for Radio Mogadishu & SN TV, and few private media houses who threatened that member journalists would be sacked from work should they refuse to attend or challenge the bogus “NUSOJ General Assembly” organised by employers with the tacit approval and support of the Ministry. So far media employers dismissed six journalists while three workers were demoted because of their membership of NUSOJ. This is another violation of article 24 of provisional constitution of Somalia.

The union is also extremely concerned over reported attempts by the Ministry of Information to approach the management of Diplomatic Hotel where NUSOJ General Assembly which was disbanded in February 2016 was due to be held. The Ministry reportedly intends to record a video message or written/signed statement from the hotel management in which the management will be forced to deny that the NUSOJ General Assembly was disbanded by the government. The Ministry wants to use this an evidence to defend itself before the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, which had summoned it at the end of this month.

Nevertheless, NUSOJ has a recorded indisputable evidence of a communication from a government official, acting on the orders of higher government decision-maker to disband the General Assembly. This evidence was already presented to international human rights mechanism.

The fraudulent use of the name, logo and letterhead of NUSOJ without any actions from law enforcement authorities to stop and persecute such offenders corroborates the government’s overt approval for identity theft that employers are perpetuating.

One of the most falsified act was the usage of names of journalists for badges for the bogus meeting when they are not part of. Without the consent of journalists whose names were used, the organisers had the audacity to download pictures of the said journalists from their Facebook addresses and print them on badges as delegates for bogus meeting. Some of the journalists whose identities were falsified boldly came out and protested.

The Ministry of Information and private media owners who are both media employers are allies with a mutually beneficial relationship and any attempt to excuse the Ministry as a better employer or less exploitative is unsophisticated to say the least. They are common in economic exploitation and coercive nature against independent unionism and members.

“These most recent actions confirm sustained breach of Somali constitution and international Labour Organisation’s core standards on union freedom & labour relations with impunity despite international demands for fullest implementations of ILO conclusions and recommendations. Unfortunately they are additional violations to the long list of internationally recognized violations of human and trade union rights by the government,” declared Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

As the vanguard of the fundamental rights of country’s working and poor journalists, NUSOJ and its leadership were vilified and their credentials questioned by the Ministries of Information and Labour. The hostility to NUSOJ reached a crescendo when the union compliant at the ILO and administrative legal case at the Supreme Court of Somalia.

Similar to the vituperation directed at NUSOJ today, the Ministry of Information and the Ministry Labour have gallons of vitriolic oil for the independent national trade union centre, the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU). The union federation was insulted and labelled “workerist” for raising the necessity of independent working class politics and organisation.

“Our union, NUSOJ, is an ardent champion of journalists’ rights and press freedom, and is campaigning vociferously for the defence of freedom of association and union rights. We shall never bow to any pressure, smear campaign or intimidations by coercive institutions of political power and unscrupulous employers,” declared Osman.

NUSOJ has grown its numbers and scored victories because of its improved levels of service to members, mobilisation capacity both nationally & internationally, and militancy. The union is simply witch-hunted because of its lack of proximity to government.

“What we clearly see is that if you do not agree with the approach and domination of the concerned ministries you are an enemy that must be dealt with and defeated through State institution,” added NUSOJ Secretary General.

Ugandan Authorities Must Stop the Clamp Down On Online Media Platforms- AFEX

Felicia Anthonio
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Ugandan Authorities Must Stop the Clamp Down On Online Media Platforms- AFEX

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) is deeply concerned about the increasing disregard for freedom of expression rights both offline and online by Ugandan authorities.

On February 18, 2016, Ugandan Authorities blocked access to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp during the presidential polls for no justifiable reason. The social media platforms were blocked for 24 hours.

Just two days ago, May 11, 2016, a day to the swearing in of President Yoweri Museveni, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), once again blocked access to social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter) under the pretext of national security.

A message from the telephone service providers in the country to their subscribers quoted a directive from the communications regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to switch off all the social media platforms till after the swearing in ceremony.

“Dear Customers, as per UCC directive, social media has been temporarily blocked; however all our other services are available. We regret any inconveniences caused,” Airtel Uganda wrote on their Facebook wall.

This is the second time in three months the government has censored social media platforms during national events.

This developing trend of the Ugandan authorities clamping down on social media during important national events is extremely disturbing and must be brought to an end as it contravenes Ugandans’ right to free speech and access to information as guaranteed by the country’s constitution.

The clamp down on May 12 is a serious breach of Ugandans’ rights to freedom of expression and a big step backward for a country that has had Access to Information law in its statutes since 2005.

AFEX calls on the Ugandan communication regulator, UCC to desist from the unjustifiable and unacceptable closure of social media platforms in the country.

Issued by the AFEX network in Accra, on May 13, 2016.

AFEX is a continental network of the most prominent African freedom of expression organisations spread across East, West, South and Central Africa who are also members of IFEX. The Media Foundation for West Africa, based in Accra, Ghana, serves as the Secretariat for the network.

For more information, please write to the AFEX Secretariat at info(@)africafex.org or visit www.africafex.org.

MISA Documentary: Highlights Free Expression Struggles in Southern Africa

Felicia Anthonio
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This statement was originally issued by misa.org on May 12, 2016.

Freedom of expression is one of the cornerstones of all democratic systems. Without it ideas about how to protect the common good in our societies would be impoverished. A marketplace of ideas is essential for democracy to thrive. It is for this reason that MISA attaches such importance to political discourse as well as to speech and other forms of expression that may shock and offend.

In this 21-minute documentary titled  ‘The Daily Threat’ MISA uses case studies from Zambia and Zimbabwe to tell the struggle for freedom of expression in southern Africa. We share present-day stories of persons arrested for commenting on Facebook, for singing a song or for publishing an article.

This documentary was developed with the generous assistance of DW Akademie.

Uganda: Government Blocks Social Media as Police Attacks Journalists ahead of President’ Swearing in.

Felicia Anthonio
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This Alert was originally issued by HRNJ-Uganda on May 12, 2016.

Government has switched of social media platforms in Uganda ahead of the swearing in of President Yoweri Museveni, after the February 18, 2016 disputed elections, which saw the incumbent,t who has been in power since 1986, win against seven (7) other contenders. This is the second time social media platforms are being switched off citing security concerns.

A message circulating reportedly from the telephone service providers to their subscribers quote a directive from the communications regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to switch off all the social media platforms till after the swearing in ceremony, citing security safe guards. In Feb, 2016 social media platforms were switched off arbitrarily, and a case is in court challenging the actions of UCC to violate the attendant freedom of expression and access to information.

Meanwhile, police on May 11, arrested two journalists, shot at and injured a Channel 44 reporter as the army caned a female journalist while covering a demonstration by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters contesting the swearing in of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni due to take place on May 12, 2016 in the Capital, Kampala.

Denis Kato a journalist with Channel 44 was reportedly shot in his left leg and rushed to a nearby healthy center for first aid treatment, while Arnold Mukose of Salt FM and Ndugga Nicholas of Delta TV were arrested. Damalie Muhaye of KFM was caned by army officers forcing her to give up on covering the news story.

“I was standing at Radio One entrance (along Duster Street) covering from a distance people demonstrating at Nakasero market, when all over a sudden a rubber bullet hit my left leg”. Kato told HRNJ-Uganda in an interview. He said he was feeling severe pain as a result of the injury.

Muhaye who was caned by army officers told HRNJ-Uganda that she was covering a story about the unusually heavy traffic jam caused by traffic diversions by police ahead of the swearing in ceremony. “As I interviewed the locals, a scuffle ensued when army officers towing Col. Kizza Besigye’s car that had been impounded were pelted with objects. The army responded by caning people at the scene, and that’s how I fell victim of their wrath. I abandoned the story and left the place.” Muhaye narrated.

Elsewhere in Mengo, a Kampala suburb, police arrested journalists Arnold Mukose of Salt FM and Nicholas Ndugga of Delta TV for covering police officers who had surrounded the political party offices of the Justice Forum (JEEMA). JEEMA had earlier in the day addressed a press conference and thereafter the party officials led by their President, Asuman Basalirwa went to visit the Lord Mayor-elect, Erias Lukwago who is under house arrest. “On our way back from Lukwago’s home, we found when police had surrounded the JEEMA offices, when we started to cover the events, police arrested us and took us to Lungujja police station from where we recorded statements; we were detained for about two hours, before we were transferred to Old Kampala police division. We were later released without any charges preferred against us.” Mukose told HRNJ-Uganda.

The Division Police Commander of Old Kampala Police, Muhammad Kirumira told HRNJ-Uganda that the journalists were released because the case was not serious.

“UCC has continued to act in a partisan way by arbitrarily switching the various channels of communication for political reasons. Many Ugandans are inconvenienced whenever such forums are blocked without prior warning. About the actions of the police and army against journalists on duty, is very absurd. The security agents should act in a non-partisan way, and ensure a secure working environment for the media.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.

 

Uganda Government Bans Media Coverage of Opposition Protest

Felicia Anthonio
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This Alert was Issued by the HRNJ-Uganda on May 6. 2016.

In a surprise twist of events, just two days after officiating as chief walker on World Press Freedom Day celebrations, the Minister for Information and National Guidance, Jim Katugugu Muhwezi has banned media coverage of political activities of the opposition ‘defiance campaign’ which is spearheaded by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer in the February 2016 presidential elections, Dr. Kizza Besigye. The ban comes just days to the swearing in ceremony of President Yoweri Museveni for another five year presidential term.

Muhwezi who was addressing a press conference at the government’s Media Centre in Kampala told the journalists that the activities are illegal courtesy of the April 29 , 2016 interim Order issued by the Deputy Chief Justice, Stephen Kavuma halting the said political activities. The press conference was attended by the Inspector of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura, the Attorney General Fred Ruhindi and his Deputy Mwesigwa Rukutana and the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi, among others.

Muhwezi told the journalists that a Cabinet meeting which was held on May 4, directed the police to enforce the interim order. “Cabinet also directed that all live broadcast media coverage of the activities of the “Defiance Campaign” organized by Dr. Kizza Besigye and his cohorts should stop forth-with. Any media houses that continue offering live coverage of the so-called “Defiance Campaign” risk having their broadcasting licenses revoked.”

The Minister further told the journalists that Uganda Commuications Commission which regulates all broadcasters would not give a second chance to any media house which would defy the ban to cover Besigye. “…there can’t be any excuse that you didn’t know or you didn’t hear. This serves as a last warning and evidence because it’s live, we are looking at each other, I won’t be held responsible when Godfrey Mutabazi –the regulator switches you off…” Muhwezi warned.

“Under the ban, social media is also being targeted, “The ban may be extended to social media, if it is used as an alternative tool for propagating defiance campaign.” Mutabazi warned.

The Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana, said Uganda would not be moved by international pressures since it’s an autonomous country, “Uganda is a sovereign country, it’s not governed by international treaties; anything which is inconsistent with our Constitution is of no effect.”

Dr. Besigye says the defiance campaign is intended to show his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the February 18, 2016 presidential elections and to push for an independent audit of the election results.

Civil society organisations and human rights activists have criticized the ban as gagging the media.

“The order by Justice Kavuma from which the ban stems is irregular and a very bad precedent. The limitations to press freedom and freedom of expression are very clear in our constitution. Under Article 43, the limitations must be acceptable, and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society. These safe guards were ignored in reaching the decision to ban live media coverage. Therefore a ban which lacks these tests, parameters and guidelines even by Court is very unconstitutional and a move to gag the Media” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coodinator Robert Ssempala.

West African Journalists Call For Isolation of Gambian President

Felicia Anthonio
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Monrovia – The West African Journalists Association (WAJA) has declared the Gambia as the most hostile environment for journalists in the sub-region, as it observes World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd 2016.

WAJA says it is worried about the persistent violation of the rights of journalists in the Gambia with impunity and calls for global efforts to stop it.

In a release issued to mark day, the sub-regional media rights group expressed disappointment over the undue silence of regional and world leaders over the unrelenting harassment, imprisonment and disappearance of journalists and human rights activists in the Gambia.

WAJA President Peter Quaqua pointed out that: “in the 22-year rule of the Gambia, President Yahya Jammeh has not only presided over the killing and exiled of journalists, but continues to disrespect regional leaders as demonstrated in his failure to accept decisions emanating from the ECOWAS Court. It is time the world isolated this man,” he added.

WAJA believes if the Gambian dictator is prevented from attending gatherings of heads of state, it would teach him some soft lesson on how to treat his people humanely.

While condemning President Jammeh and his government, WAJA has similarly frowned on other countries in the region that intermittently send journalists and other people to jail on so-called criminal defamation laws.

Reference is made to the governments in Liberia and Sierra Leone, who, in spite of the huge international investments in peace and democratic rebirth, are inclined to throw journalists in jail on criminal defamation charges, with an accompany prohibitive bail bonds.

“Unfortunately Liberia and Sierra Leone boast of freedom of information laws, but would criminally punish people for using those information. It should be said Criminal libel and FOI cannot exist in harmony.” said the WAJA President.

AU Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information strongly opposes criminal defamation as endorsed in the AU Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa and other international human rights protocols.

WAJA applauds on-going efforts in Benin Republic to repeal Criminal Defamation and urges others that still have those laws on their books to follow.

Meanwhile, WAJA acknowledges the progress made by other countries in the region in approving FOI laws including, Côte D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Niger as well as Guinea and urges those governments to go beyond the passage and insist on implementation of the law, to which WAJA encourages journalists to support.

Uganda: HRNJ-Uganda, Journalists win Prestigious Commonwealth Press Union Award

Felicia Anthonio
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Uganda: HRNJ-Uganda, Journalists win Prestigious Commonwealth Press Union Award

This article was originally posted on hrnjuganda.org on May 5, 2016.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) on May 5, 2016 has been awarded the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) Media Trust Astor Award for its outstanding work in protecting freedom of journalists in Uganda. This year’s Award was announced and presented to HRNJ-Uganda by the Chairman of the CPU Media Trust, Lord Black of Brentwood, at a Conference on “The Future of Journalism in the Digital Age” organised by the Commonwealth Journalists Association in London on Monday April 11, 2016.

“My colleagues on the Trust and I have decided that we would like to present the Award this year (2015) to the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, in view of the tremendous role it has played in fighting for press freedom in very difficult circumstances” . Lord Black of Brentwood told HRNJ-Uganda while breaking the news.

The prestigious Astor Award is one of the oldest press freedom awards in the world. It was established in honour of longstanding President of the CPU David Astor, and first presented in 1970. The Award was last presented in 2005 to Gavin Ellis of New Zealand. HRNJ-Uganda makes Uganda the fourth African country to win the coveted Award after Nigeria (1994), Zambia (1996) and Mauritius (2000). Uganda becomes the 28th winner of the Astor Award.

CPU has been seeking to protect and enhance press and media freedom in the 53 Commonwealth countries for more than a hundred years.

Presenting the Award in London to a distinguished Ugandan journalist Henry Gombya of the London Evening Post, on behalf of HNRJ-Uganda, Lord Black noted that since HRNJ-Uganda was born 10 years ago, it has engaged “in ceaseless battles for freedom of expression”.

“Ten years on, the threats remain and could worsen, following this year’s disputed presidential election. But the landscape has changed. Journalists still face oppression, but they do not stand alone. HRNJ-Uganda, under the leadership of their National Coordinator Robert Ssempala and legal officer Diana Nandudu, are forever by their side – often literally and at personal risk, monitoring journalistic human rights and protecting them from abuse. When police beat up a broadcaster, Ssempala led the protest march – and was himself arrested. When journalists are detained without cause, HRNJ is on the spot with legal advice. One grateful reporter fresh from the cells advised colleagues never to be without the phone numbers of ‘the good men and women of HRNJ-Uganda.’ When HRNJ activists are not on the frontline, they are educating the media on human rights and conducting seminars to raise journalistic standards, reduce risk and promote good governance.” Lord Black said

“The battle for freedom of expression is far from won in Uganda, but the dedicated work of HRNJ-Uganda has helped sustain the will to win against fearsome odds. To succeed as such an indispensable and unflinching friend of press freedom is in the finest tradition of the CPU Astor Awards. It is that triumph which makes Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda so deserving of this accolade, and I am delighted to honour them this evening.” Lord Black said in London.

The Award was unveiled to the Ugandan audience by the Deputy British High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Suzan Schockledge, on May 3, 2016, at the World Press Freedom Day celebrations, held jointly with the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) and consortium of other Media and Human Rights Organisations, at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala.

Handing over the Award to Robert Ssempala, the National Coordinator of Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda, H.E Schockledge commended the Organisation for its outstanding commitment to defending the Press and Freedom of Expression. She emphasized the need for a free media and underscored its importance in entrenching democracy in a country. She said that the British Government would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting the respect for fundamental human rights.

Ssempala said the award had not only re-energised the Organisation, but pointed out the enormous challenges facing the media in the country and therefore the need for the various actors to pool their efforts together to defend and promote freedom of expression and the media along with other fundamental human rights. He pointed out the widely entrenched impunity for perpetrators of violence against journalists and the irregular and poor pay of journalists which has crippled the growth of the industry.

In a related development, HRNJ-Uganda celebrated the World Press Freedom (WPF) Day by rewarding seven (7) journalists and a media house for their outstanding reporting on the media freedom and journalists’ rights in Uganda in the year 2015. The inaugural annual HRNJ-Uganda Media Rights Reporters Awards were presented to the winners by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Margaret Sekaggya –who is the Executive Director of Human Rights Centre Uganda. She appealed to the Ugandan authorities to respect freedom of the media and other fundamental human rights.

Johnson Mayamba of the Daily Monitor and Flavia Nassaka of the Independent Magazine were the 2015 HRNJ-Uganda Media Rights Reporters Award male and female winners respectively, while Daily Monitor emerged the best rights reporting media house. The winners were awarded with accolades and cash prize of UGX1,000,000 (USD300) each.

Five (5) other journalists were recognized with Certificates of Merit for their exemplary reporting on media rights and freedoms. They include; Davis Buyondo of the New Vision, Ephraim Kasozi and Teddy Nassaka of the Daily Monitor, Henry Lutaaya of The Sunrise and Kenneth Kazibwe of Chimp Reports.

A panel of five (5) judges led by Lynn Najjemba told the audience that the print media was focused on for the inaugural awards.

HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairperson, Julius Esegu reiterated the Organization’s commitment to defend journalists and the media at all times as well as providing free legal support. HRNJ-Uganda also educates journalists about human rights, and conducts seminars to raise journalistic standards, reduce risk and promote good governance.

Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) is a network of human rights journalists in Uganda working towards enhancing the promotion, protection and respect of human rights through defending and building the capacities of journalists, to effectively exercise their constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms for collective campaigning through the media. HRNJ-Uganda is also a member of AFEX.
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