FINALLY RED PEPPER DIRECTORS, EDITORS RELEASED

By www.mknewslink.com Reporter

in Kampala—

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates court has today released on bail eight directors of The Red Pepper Publications after more than a month in detention.

The eight Red Pepper directors and editors are:  Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Ben Byarabaha, Tumusiime Francis,Johson Musinguzi, Richard Tumusiime, Patrick Mugumya, James Mujuni and  Richard Kintu.

They were charged with sedition, offensive communication and publication of information prejudicial to national security.

It is alleged  that the group through the Red Pepper newspaper published a story titled ‘Museveni plans to overthrow Kagame’, a story that was not true and ridiculed the president. The state alleges that the said publication disturbed the peace of president Museveni.

But in a  ruling read on his behalf by Grade one magistrate Samuel Kagoda, Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Eremye Mawanda said he was satisfied the sureties are substantial and will be able to perform their duties as required by law.

“I have considered the fact that the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty and it would be necessary to be given their liberty,”said the magistrate.

He however said each of the sureties would be required to pay Shs 20 million non-cash as bond.

“The accused should deposit their passports with the court until the matter is disposed off and if they are with police, the responsible people are tasked to produce them to court.”

The grade one magistrate adjourned the hearing to January 19th 2017.

Source:www.mknewslink.com a western Uganda news website.

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