Journalist Timothy Kalyegira Arrested

Mr. Kalyegira (in foreground) being led away by a Police officer. Photo by Yusuf Muziransa.

Journalist Timothy Kalyegira has been arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison. Mr. Kalyegria is expected to appear in court on Wednesday morning to defend himself. He is accused of criminal libel. Kalyegira, who runs a website Uganda Record very critical of the NRM government, had reportedly gone to try and reclaim his passport held at Kiira Road Police station. The passport had been seized an earlier Police search of the veteran journalist's Lusaka Zone One, Makindye Division home in August 2010.

On reaching Kiira Road Police Station, Mr. Kalyegira was informed by the CID boss Prudence Haguma that he was going to be produced in court. However, Mr. Kalyegira was detained after the grade II magistrate at KCC Court ruled that it did not have the power to hear his case. Mr. Kalyegira had been represented by his lawyer Ladislaus Rwakafuzu.

On that occasion, Mr Kalyegira was questioned over reports published on his online newspaper that he doubted whether it was the Somali-based militants—al-Shabaab-- that bombed and killed at least 76 people and injured several others in Kampala during the July 11, 2010 twin bombings.

More details to follow as story unfolds...