Uganda: Police Officer On Trial for 'Inhumane and Degrading' Arrest of Journalist

press release

The trial of a senior Uganda Police officer, the Divisional Commander of Wandegeya police station, Julius Ceaser Tusingwire, has commenced at the High Court in Kampala.

The victim, Mulindwa Mukasa a journalist with the Associated Press news agency, asked the court to disqualify Tusingwire's two lawyers, Fred Masaba and Odjambo Bichachi, because they work for the Attorney General's office.

Through his lawyer (Isaac Semakadde Kimaze of Centre for Legal Aid), Mulindwa told the court - presided over by Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe, sitting at Twed Towers in Kampala - that according to Articles 119 and 250(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, it would be an abuse of office for the Attorney General to represent Tusingwire, who was sued in his personal and individual capacity.

Mulindwa alleges that on 26 November 2013, Tusingwire ordered his arrest which was carried out in an inhumane and degrading way. He alleges that he was tortured and sprayed with pepper while in custody at Wandegeya police station. Tusingwire also ordered for the deletion of Mulindwa's footage which he had taken during the police's forceful dispersal of journalists from Wandegeya police station.

The court adjourned the matter to 23 September.

In a related development, the Uganda Human Rights Commission has ordered the Attorney General to appear before the Tribunal on 22 September, in a matter where Hasfa Nakyanzi, a journalist working with WBS TV accuses the Uganda Police Force of occasioning her grievous bodily harm and loss of her journalistic tools as she covered a peaceful demonstration by Opposition Political leaders in Jinja town on 11 March 2011. The Tribunal presided over by Commissioner Katabalirwe Amooti made the order after the Attorney General failed to appear.

Present at the Tribunal were Ambassador Olara Otunnu, and the complainant who were ready to testify. The complainant is represented by Catherine Anite, while Kosia Kasibayo held brief for the Attorney General.

"HRNJ-Uganda is elated with the commencement of the trials and pray that they will be expedited in the interest of justice for the victim journalists and the media at large." said Robert Ssempala, the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator.

- Human Rights Network for Journalists - Uganda

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in Arrest, Degrading, Inhumane, Journalist, News From Africa, Officer, Police, Trial, Uganda

11:11

Uganda: Police Officer On Trial for 'Inhumane and Degrading' Arrest of Journalist

press release The trial of a senior Uganda Police officer, the Divisional Commander of Wandegeya police station, Julius Ceaser Tusingwire, h...

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Uganda: Emirates Offers Fares Cuts for Ugandans

Kampala — Ugandan travellers are set to benefit from a 25% discount on Business Class and Economy Class fares from Emirates writes BAZ WAISWA.

A statement from the airline company reveals that customers must purchase their tickets between 27 August and 6 September 2014, and travel between 27 August and 3 December 2014.

It adds that tickets are valid for return travel only, with a minimum stay of three days and a maximum stay of one month. Blackout dates from 11-30 October 2014 apply for travel to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Thani Alansari, the Emirates Country Manager for Uganda acknowledged that Emirates' everyday-value fares to destinations across the various world cities are proving popular with Ugandan travelers.

Such destination include Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Los

Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C. London, Beijing, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

"We appreciate the loyalty of our Ugandan travelers and this offer is just one of the ways that we are giving back to them," he added.

EK 729 departs Dubai International Airport every day at 0835hrs and arrives at the Entebbe International Airport at 1245hrs. The return flight, EK730, leaves Entebbe at 1535hrs and lands in Dubai at 2155hrs.

Economy Class tickets for Ugandan travelers from Entebbe to the selected destinations $ 644 to London, USD 950 to Beijing, $1,197 to New York, $477 to Dubai, $498 to Mumbai, $1,197 to Washington, $837 to Bangkok, $1,489 to Kuala Lumpur, $1,852 to Guangzhou and $1,197 to Shanghai.

Business Class fares to start from USD 2,293 to London, $2,866 to Beijing, $3,480 to New York, $1,682 to Dubai, $1,690 to Mumbai, $3,480 to Washington, USD 2,059 to Bangkok, $3,712 to Kuala Lumpur, $3,539 to Guangzhou and $3,339 to Shanghai.

Meanwhile two HIV-positive passengers and a friend are suing a Chinese airline for refusing to let them on board, in the country's first such lawsuit, state media reported recently.

The pair planned to travel from Shenyang in the northeast to Shijiazhuang, south of Beijing, but were barred from the Spring Airlines plane after they informed staff of their status, the Global Times said.

The two, along with an HIV-negative travelling companion, were told that their tickets had been cancelled. All three sued the budget airline, accusing it of discrimination and demanding an apology as well as compensation of 48,999 yuan ($8,000), the paper said.

A Shenyang court accepted the case, making it the first lawsuit against an airline for discriminating against an HIV-positive person in China, it added.

"The court's acceptance of this case signalled that HIV carriers can protect their rights through legal channels," it quoted plaintiff Cheng Shuaishuai as saying.

China has a long history of discrimination against those with HIV. It bans them from becoming civil servants, and they face the possibility of losing their jobs if their employers discover their status,

China only lifted a long-standing ban on HIV-positive foreigners entering the country in 2010.

In recent years top officials have begun speaking more openly about HIV prevention and control, but discrimination remains an issue, with campaign groups and international organisations saying widespread stigmatisation has complicated efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Under Chinese law air carriers can deny transport to infectious patients, people with mental illness or passengers whose health condition may endanger others or themselves.

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byUnknown

in Emirates, Fares, Offers, Travel Africa, Uganda, ugandans

22:27

Uganda: Emirates Offers Fares Cuts for Ugandans

Kampala — Ugandan travellers are set to benefit from a 25% discount on Business Class and Economy Class fares from Emirates writes BAZ WAIS...

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Uganda: A Cool Goodbye to Alliance Francaise

We have all known the Alliance Francaise and Goethe-Zentrum stage to host names such as Susan Kerunen, Joel Sebunjo, Myko Ouma, Maurice Kirya and Tshilla, among others. It is usually a crop of ethno musicians. When they stretch a bit, they bring in musicians like Jamal and rappers such as Keko.

byUnknown

in Alliance, Entertainment, Francaise, Goodbye, Uganda

03:29

Uganda: A Cool Goodbye to Alliance Francaise

We have all known the Alliance Francaise and Goethe-Zentrum stage to host names such as Susan Kerunen, Joel Sebunjo, Myko Ouma, Maurice Kiry...

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Uganda: Chris Brown Endorses Ugandan Designer

With the African fashion industry eyeing more corporates and working hard to maintain a youthful audience worldwide, Ugandan designer Barry Kibwika, the man behind Asst Clothing (Asst pronounced Ah-ss-t) has gone a notch higher to get his brand recognised globally.

Asst Clothing had world-renowned entertainer Chris Brown adorn their outfits while on a guest tour performance at the annual 'Art of Sound Music and Fashion Festival' held recently at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Asst Clothing based in Miami, Florida, was founded in 2011 by Barry and his colleague Alexa Morgan and is inspired by originality, royalty, culture, and embraces individuality. The duo's designs from their aesthetic identity appear unique in nature and therefore meant to boost the confidence of the wearer.

"We are very unapologetic in our designs as we're guided by our brand's theme 'Embrace the royalty in you' and eventually get inspired by many cultures because they do not try to conform to society with their way of dress. Asst is more than a brand, it is a way of life," said Kibwika.

Asst Clothing has been identified in the American audience to be popular for bringing lightness and the feeling of exotic elegance with its royal garments. It would be described as cultural, effortlessly sophisticated looks to the modern day era.

By Elijah Chemobo

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Uganda: Chris Brown Endorses Ugandan Designer

byUnknown

in Brown, Chris, Chris Brown, Clothes hanger, Designer, Endorses, Entertainment, Florida, Kibwika, Miami, News From Africa, Southampton General Hospital, TechnoServe, Uganda, Ugandan

18:03

Uganda: Chris Brown Endorses Ugandan Designer

With the African fashion industry eyeing more corporates and working hard to maintain a youthful audience worldwide, Ugandan designer Barry ...

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