Journalists arrested over alleged murder of Jinja businessman released on bail

Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Two Jinja-based journalists who were detained early this month for their alleged involvement in the murder of a local businessman, Shaban Malore are out on bail.

They are Dennis Isabirye of Baba FM and his counterpart, Ivan Mutyaba of Busoga One FM. The two appeared on Tuesday before the Jinja High Court Judge Tom Chemutai, who granted them cash bail of Shillings 200,000 each.

Malore was shot dead as he and his family members moved to resolve a 20-year-long dispute over land and other property. The journalists were arrested after electronic evidence linked them to the individuals who communicated to Malore prior to his shooting.

They were charged with three counts of murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, and concealing murder and remanded to Kirinya prisons. However, on Tuesday, the journalists applied for bail through their lawyer Andrew Mumbere from the Human Rights Network for Journalist-HRNJ and presented four sureties, which was granted.

Each surety executed a noncash bond of Shillings 10 million. Justice Chemutai asked the duo to return to the court on July 28th, 2022 for the mention of their case. Robert Ssempala, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalist-HRNJ, said their legal team is committed to ensuring justice for all journalists, and efforts of adjudicating for the accused’s complete freedom were underway.

*****

URN