Online editors speak out on Bagyenda accusations

KAMPALA.

A day after police announced they were investigating some of the online media houses over allegations that they defamed the outgoing Bank of Uganda supervision director, Ms Justine Bagyenda, editors have said they are ready to defend themselves.
Online publishers mostly based in Kampala, allegedly published Ms Bagyenda’s leaked bank, mobile money details and photographs of her alleged property. Yesterday, this newspaper reported the story about the accusations.
The police CID spokesperson, Mr Vicent Ssekatte, said Ms Bagyenda has registered a complaint at police and investigations have already started.
“It is true that she recorded a complaint and officers who handle criminal defamation and electronic related crimes are investigating the case. There are several media houses that are under investigation and their editors or owners are to be summoned to record statements,” Mr Ssekate said on Wednesday.
He said the complaint is against stories that were published in Chimpreports, Eagle Online, Matooke Republic, Spy Reports, Trumpet news, CEO Uganda, Watchdog Uganda, Xpress Times, Investigator, Newz Uganda, The Insider Uganda and Daily Post Uganda about Ms Bagyenda’s properties.
The president of Online Publishers Association, Mr Giles Muhame, yesterday told Daily Monitor that he had not received the summons from CID headquarters by press time but said that police should have rather concentrated on the “serious accusations” against the complainant.
“We have not yet received any summons. We will respond accordingly as soon as we get them. As a public official, we expected the aggrieved party to explain accusations labelled against her before the IGG and Financial Intelligence Authority including money laundering and abuse of office,” Mr Muhame said.
The news editor of Eagle Online, Mr Richard Wanambwa, said he is ready to appear before the detectives at CID headquarters in Kibuli to respond to the summons when they are sent to him.
He said he will allow the police to do their work of investigations but will defend his media house when called upon.
The news editor of Trumpet News, Mr Douglas Baryevuga, did not differ with his colleagues saying; “I have heard about the case at police but waiting to read the contents of the summons so that we respond as soon as possible.”
The national coordinator of Human Rights Network for Journalists in Uganda, Mr Robert Ssempala, said much as Ms Bagyenda has a right to complain, she should come out and give the right information if what is already in the public domain is not authentic.
“We stand with online publications and we will together put a spirited defence if the matter goes to court because as a public figure, she (Ms Bagyenda) is accountable to the public about whatever she does in office,” Mr Ssempala said.

The law
Section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011 on offensive communication states: “Any person, who wilfully and repeatedly uses electronic communication to disturb or attempts to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication, whether or not a conversation ensues, commits a misdemeanour and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty four currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.” Twenty four currency points is an equivalent of Shs480,000.