Uganda Editor Facing False News Charges
Newspaper editor Francis Odida was released from police custody Wednesday after being questioned for 24 hours and was told he would be charged with publishing false news.
Odida, who edits the English-language Sunday Review, was released on police bond and told to present himself on Jan. 5 to be formally charged.
He was picked up by police Tuesday after his paper published two controversial articles, one of which said the Ugandan government was planning to ban all private newspapers.
This allegation was formally denied by information and broadcasting minister Abubaker Mayanja who described it as “pure fabrication and malice against the government.”
The second article said rebel guerrillas in northern Uganda had drawn up new conditions for laying down their arms, including an amnesty for exiled former Presidents Idi Amin and Milton Obote and other former top officials accused of human rights abuse during their time in power.
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