nbs: We do not know where our reporter Serwanjja is

Solomon Serwanja’s employers nbs TV have started a frantic search for the missing journalist.

Serwanjja is a Senior Investigative reporter at Next Media Services owned television station.

The search follows the arrest of Serwanjja’s wife Vivian alongside three journalists of the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC), on Thursday, February 7.

The BBC reporters who include Kassim Muhammed, Rashid Kaweesa, their driver Godfrey Bandebye were arrested on Wednesday night whereas Serwanjja’s wife Vivian was arrested on Thursday morning at their home in Mukono.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango, three of the suspects were caught red handed in Makindye buying government labeled drugs.

During search at Serwanjja’s home, Onyango stated that detectives found 14 boxes of Lumenfatine tablets, vaccines for Hepatitis B and other government drugs.

However, in a press statement, nbs management has said together with BBC Africa, they commissioned an investigation into the alleged sale of Uganda government drugs on the black market.

“The main purpose of the investigation was to cast a spotlight on how alleged corruption is aiding the sale of government drugs. The arrests come in conclusion stage of the three-week investigation.”

Currently, nbs says it doesn’t know the whereabouts of Serwanjja and they are working with relevant authorities to secure release of the arrested.

Earlier, police had said they were waiting for Sserwanja to record a statement about the alleged drugs found at his residence.

In other news, the Foreign Correspondents Association of Uganda (FCAU) have called for the immediate release of all the three journalists as well as Vivian.

Ugandan authorities must not criminalize journalism which is a vital part of a free society,” the statement reads in part.