Government sued over media ban
Government has been dragged to court over its recent gag order against media coverage of defiance campaign activities of the major opposition political party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
The suit was lodged before the High Court last Friday by Legal Brains Trust, a civil society human rights watchdog.
Government has been dragged to court over its recent gag order against media coverage of defiance campaign activities of the major opposition political party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
The suit was lodged before the High Court last Friday by Legal Brains Trust, a civil society human rights watchdog.
On May 5, while addressing journalists in Kampala, Information minister
Gen Jim Muhwezi, warned that any media house that goes on to broadcast
live FDC’s defiance campaign activities, risked its licence being
revoked.
“Consequently, the people of Uganda have been kept in the dark about key political events and activities of the leading Opposition political party contrary to the tenets of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.” reads in part, the law suit by the human rights watchdog.
Further in its complaint, the petitioners claim the media ban was an insidious restriction on editorial freedom.
The gag order by government came days after Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma issued an interim order banning all Forum for Democratic Change and Dr Besigye’s defiance campaign activities ahead of President Museveni’s swearing-in that was held last Thursday.
The watchdog now wants the High Court to issue declaratory orders that the government’s gag order against the media is unlawful and should be lifted.
By press time last evening, the court had not yet summoned the Attorney General who is the respondent in this case to file in his defence before a hearing date can be fixed.
“Consequently, the people of Uganda have been kept in the dark about key political events and activities of the leading Opposition political party contrary to the tenets of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.” reads in part, the law suit by the human rights watchdog.
Further in its complaint, the petitioners claim the media ban was an insidious restriction on editorial freedom.
The gag order by government came days after Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma issued an interim order banning all Forum for Democratic Change and Dr Besigye’s defiance campaign activities ahead of President Museveni’s swearing-in that was held last Thursday.
The watchdog now wants the High Court to issue declaratory orders that the government’s gag order against the media is unlawful and should be lifted.
By press time last evening, the court had not yet summoned the Attorney General who is the respondent in this case to file in his defence before a hearing date can be fixed.
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