8 Red Pepper publications bosses have this afternoon been arraigned before Buganda Road Chief Magistrates’ Court for disturbing the peace of President Yoweri Museveni and other government officials. They are also charged with disturbing the peace, quiet and privacy of President Yoweri Museveni.
According to the charge sheet seen by Howwe.biz, Red Pepper Directors; Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Richard Tusiime, James Mujuni, Patrick Mugumya, and Johnosn Musinguzi Byarabaaha were charged alongside Editors Benson Byarabaaha, Tumusiime Francis and Richard Kintu.
These are in trouble for publishing a story titled; “M7 PLOTS TO OVERTHROW KAGAME-RWANDA.” This story according to the charge sheet, injured the reputation of President Museveni and subjected him to hatred, contempt and ridicule.
The same story is said to have injured the reputation of Gen. Salim Saleh, and subjected him to hatred, contempt and ridicule contrary to sections 179, 180, 181, 182 and 22 of the penal code act. The story was allegedly defamatory to the bush war general and disturbed his peace, quiet and privacy.
The gentlemen are also in trouble for using the same story to defame security minister, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde , subjecting him to hatred, contempt and ridicule, and disturbed his peace, quiet and privacy.
The troubled journalists have been in custody at the infamous Nalufenya torture chamber since Tuesday last week. Emilian Kayima, the police spokesperson blamed their late appearance in court on the current prosecutors’ strike.
nitially, police planned on throwing treason charges against them, but during today’s court session by Chief Magistrate Ereemye Mawanda , only charges of Offensive Communication, Libel and Publication of Information Prejudicial to security were read.