Media censorship denounced in Uganda

15 Sep 2009

International media rights groups have condemned the Ugandan government's actions against the press after last week's riots in Kampala. Four radio stations were closed and all live debate programmes were banned.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders condemned the move. Radio One talk show host Kalundi Sserumaga was arrested on Friday, 11 September 2009, and is expected in court today, charged with sedition, adding to concerns about press freedom in the country. Officials say at least 21 people died and 550 were arrested as a result of the riots. Violence broke out in Kampala after the government prevented the king of Buganda, traditional head of the Baganda people, Uganda's biggest ethnic group, from entering a district near the capital.

Source: Panos London