The United States of America has expressed concern over treason charge which was recently slapped against five Red Pepper publication directors and three editors charged with treason.
“We are concerned by recent charges of treason filed against eight Uganda journalists of a local tabloid newspaper. We continue to support freedom of expression and freedom of the press as central elements of U.S. foreign policy,” Heather Nauert, a Department of State spokesperson said in a tweet posted on November 29.
She revealed that the U.S will continue to be in support for freedom of expression and of the press.
The eight journalists were last week charged with treason and other offences over the publication of a story alleging that President Yoweri Museveni was planning to overthrow the government of his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame.
“According to the charge and caution statement read to them, they will be charged with offensive communication, disturbing the peace of president Museveni, Salim Saleh and Security Minister Henry Tumukunde. The main charge preferred against them is treason,” one of their lawyer told Daily Monitor.
The affected journalists are Ben Byarabaha (Managing Editor), Richard Kintu (News Editor) and Francis Tumusiime (also News Editor). Along with the directors, they are all held at a prison facility pending appearance in court.
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