RSF asks charges against Ugandan journalist be dropped

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is concerned about the terrorism charges against TV journalist Joy Doreen Biira, who was arrested while on a personal visit to Kasese, in Uganda's far western Rwenzururu region, on 27 November for posting photos of violent clashes in Kasese on social networks.

Normally based in Kenya, where she is a presenter and reporter for Kenya Television Network (KTN), Biira is a Ugandan citizen from Rwenzururu who had gone back there for her traditional marriage ceremony.

After the ceremony, she happened to witness the aftermath of an attack by government forces on the palace of a local traditional king. According to government sources, the two days of clashes that began on 26 November left at least 50 dead. The king has been detained.

After interviewing witnesses and photographing damage resulting from the clashes, Biira posted her material on Instagram and other social networks. Along with three friends and relatives, she was arrested at the home of a family member a few hours later and was taken to Kasese police headquarters.

She has been charged under Uganda's 2002 Anti-Terrorism Act with "abetting terrorism" for "illegally filming a military engagement" with the royal forces that guard Bakonzo King Wesley Mumbere.

If the state prosecutor confirms the charges, Biira could be facing a possible death sentence. She was released yesterday with orders to present herself to the police on 8 December for confirmation of her charges.

Standard Media Group, the leading Kenyan media group that owns KTN, has issued a statement of support for Biira.

"We are concerned about the terrorism charges that have been brought against Joy Doreen Biira, who just did her job as a journalist by covering an exceptional event," said Cléa Kahn-Sriber, the head of RSF's Africa desk. "We urge the state prosecutor not to confirm the charges and to drop all the proceedings against her."

There have been several cases of harassment of the media by the Ugandan authorities in recent months, including parliamentary speaker Rebecca Kadaga's suggestion in September that journalists who cover parliament in a "negative" manner should be charged with "contempt of parliament."

On 3 October, soldiers and anti-terrorist police prevented reporters from going to Kampala's Entebbe airport to cover opposition leader Kizza Besigye's return from a trip abroad.

The past few days have seen a great deal of tension between the Ugandan government and the local monarchy in the Rwenzururu region, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uganda is ranked 102nd out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index.