the NRM "revolution" is now eating it's young!William pike, has been and is still the
chief propagandist for the Movement... that now the man has been arrested by the some
NRM for whom pike panders is totally amazing.
Matek
Rights Group Criticises Arrest of Journalists
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The Monitor (Kampala)
June 21, 2004
Posted to the web June 21, 2004
Martin Luther Oketch
Kampala
The decision by the Military Court Martial Chairperson, Lt. General Elly Tumwine to
convict six journalists and a defence lawyer is a mockery of justice.
A Rights body, Foundation for African Development (FAD) said in a press release faxed
to The Monitor on Saturday. "The decision by the Military Court Martial Chairperson,
Lt. General Tuwine Elly to convict six journalists and a defence lawyer for accused
persons appearing before the same court without formerly charging them is an abuse of
the judicial procedures and a mockery of justice.
This action exposed not only the chairperson, but also entire Military Court Martial
to ridicule. It also is a serious breach of the constitutional guarantee for a fair
trial and the principle of innocence until proven guilty"
The military court on Friday convicted The Monitor's Managing Editor J.B Wasswa, New
Vision's Editor-in-chief William Pike together with journalists Solomon Muyita and
Jennifer Nakalema from The Monitor and New Vision's Steven Candia and Maurice Okore.
Foundation for African Development administrator Mr Vicent Kiwanuka Kalimire said
Tumwine's action is ultimately a serious threat to the credibility of the process
under which solders, currently being charged with various offences are subjected to.
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"If the six journalists and a defence lawyer flouted any legitimate order from the
court, the court should have used legitimate means that do not expose the institution
to ridicule and threaten lawyers representing their clients before the Court Martial,"
he said.
He warned that there will be questions regarding procedures and basis of the final
decisions pronounced by the chairman whose recent action totally disregarded the
clearly stipulated judicial procedures of seeking justice.
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