Radio Simba staff charged with sectarianism over viral video 

Security officials raided Radio Simba in Kampala on Friday 24 July, arresting four staff members who allegedly recorded a video accusing the government of tribalism. 

In a statement shared on Facebook, Radio Simba said those detailed were Julius Sserwanja also known as Kidomoole, Mbabaali Maliseeri aka Uncle Luyuguumo, Sssaabakaaki Peter aka Omuzinyuuzi and Gold Ki Matono Opeto.  All four men were detailed at the the gate of the radio station moments after their morning show, Binsaanga Wano, had ended.

The station further revealed that one of their reporters, James Kamali was detained for recording the incident. 

Kamali said that although his detention was brief, all photographic evidence of his colleagues’ arrest was removed from his phone.  “They thought I was recording them with my phone, so they arrested me. When we reached Naguru (police headquarters), they deleted everything and released me,” he said. 

Charles Twiine, spokesperson of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, also disclosed revealed that Gerald Kiweewa, a local folk singer, was arrested yesterday on a totally different offence. 

“Four members of Bizonto are being held on offences of promoting sectarianism while Kiweewa is detained on offences of offensive communication,” he said.

It was later revealed that Kiweewa was charged with offensive communication after he released a song that allegedly defames Kayunga Woman MP and former Minister of State for ICT, Aidah Nantaba.

Section 41 of the Penal Code act defines sectarianism as the practice of degrading or exposing to hatred or contempt or disaffection for anyone on the basis of religion, tribe, or ethnic or regional origin by utterance, printing, publication or performance of any such act.

On Conviction, the crime attracts a punishment of five years in prison.