By our reporter
Uganda’s leading newspaper Daily Monitor has criticized Uganda Police for summoning online media editors over publishing leaked Bank account details of former Bank of Uganda Director in Charge of supervision Justine Bagyenda.
The summoned editors include Giles Muhame of Chimpreports, Richard Wanambwa of Eagle Online, Deo Senono of Business Focus, Darius Mugisha of Matooke Republic, Andrew Irumba of Spy Uganda and John Njoroge of CEO Magazine.
They are supposed to appear at the CID Headquarters for questioning next week.
According to an article published in Daily Monitor Editorial section, Bagyenda reported the case of alleged criminal defamation to police only to intimidate the media into silence since when the details were published, Bagyenda did not argue that the much monies ascribed to her are not hers rather she only argued that it was invasion of her privacy.
The publication says given her means and station in life, Bagyenda can hire a lawyer and sue the publications if she feels they defamed her or invaded her privacy instead of going to police.
Daily Monitor also urged police not to lend credence to accusations that it is keen to gag the media.
Bagyenda came under fire after Bank of Uganda took over the management of Crane Bank and later sold it to DFCU Bank. Those who spoke out in defence of Crane Bank argued that part of the problem was that it was poorly supervised by the Central Bank.
As the officer in charge of Banks supervision, Bagyenda became a subject of interest to the press, and the online publications in question took interest in the leaked bank details that depicted Bagyenda as very rich.
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