To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 15:33:45 EDT Subject: [UNAANET] Update on the Monitor, Charles Onyango-Obbo charged
Folks: I have just learnt that charges have been formally laid against Charles Onyango-Obbo, Managing Editor of The Monitor; Wanyama Wanga, News Editor, and Frank Nyakairu, the journalist who filed the story last week about reports of a UPDF helicopter that had allegedly crashed or been shot down. Onyango-Obbo and Wanyama Wanga are free on bail. Nyakairu is still in custody at the Central Police Station in Kampala. He was transferred to Kampala from Gulu today, in handcuffs. The trio have been charged with "publication of false news and publication of information prejudicial to national security and endangering soldiers." The other senior editors are still awaiting the "police" decision whether or not charges will be laid. Meanwhile, the police siege at the Monitor Hqr has been lifted and some of the equipment and telephones have been returned. The paper will probably start publishing on Friday of this week. However, Onyango-Obbo's cell phones and his personal computer are still being held by police. A meeting was held today between President Yoweri Museveni's representatives and officials from the Monitor. On the government's side were Internal Affairs Minister Eriya Kategaya, Information Minister Basoga Nsadhu and Presidential Advisor on the Media John Nnagenda, who is also a columnist for the New Vision and a sworn enemy of The Monitor Newspaper. The government side initially wanted The Monitor to print a statement prepared by the government in which the Monitor would basically state that it had lied. After negotiations, they have agreed that the Monitor will publish a statement that is "acceptable to the government." It is expected that "the Monitor's statement" will NOT necessarily be a reflection of what the paper really believes happened in Northern Uganda, but what the government wants the public to think happened [or did not happen.] And what really happened or did not happen to the helicopter? Of course I do not know, but from what I hear the story is far from over, and only the gullible will dismiss the Monitor story as a fabrication without waiting to hear from independent sources. We may never know of course, but a healthy dose of scepticism is what my doctor just prescribed. Cheers, Muniini _________________________________________________________________ Internet access plans that fit your lifestyle -- join MSN. http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/default.asp
