Govt drags Monitor journalists to court over 2011 ballot story

Monitor’s lawyer Mr. James Nangwala (L) and Sunday Monitor Editor Henry Ochieng.

Sunday Monitor editor Henry Ochieng and senior Reporter Angelo Izama are presently waiting to be charged at Makindye Magistrate’s Court after Police at Kabalagala station questioned them for  several hours on Wednesday morning.

The journalists, summoned for interrogations by Police several times over the past three weeks, are facing prosecution over a December 20, 2009 analytical article published by the Sunday Monitor, highlighting concerns of stakeholders and diplomats in Kampala about the ruling NRM party’s decision to give military drills to its ‘election scouts’.

Prosecution alleges that the article titled “Preparing For the 2011 elections by arming troops”, authored by Angelo Izama, defamed President Museveni.

Monitor Publications’ external attorney, James Nangwala, says the duo is likely to be charged with criminal libel.