Lira City | Media support organisation Great Lakes Centre for Strategic Media Studies (GLCSMS), which owns tndNews, Uganda, and Biodiversity Press Africa (BPA), together with Facts Media Uganda and Lango News Network, online news agencies, have condemned the arrest of tndNews, Uganda’s Denis Arao.
Arao, a political and community affairs reporter, was arrested by men in uniform while covering the elections of Local Council One chairpersons in Lira City East Division on July 28.
Narrating his ordeal, Denis said he was “badly tortured” while being transported to the police station. He also said “his body was in pain and feeling weak.”
Why was he arrested? He was taking pictures of a confrontation between some voters, LC1 candidates, their agents and security officers.
He was soon surrounded by the men in uniform who arrested him and confiscated his gadgets.
Facts Media has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Denis Arao, who was assigned to perform his professional duties during the Local Council I elections.
“Journalists play a vital role in promoting transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to information. Arresting a journalist who is lawfully carrying out his work undermines press freedom and democratic principles,” Facts Media said in a statement.
“We therefore call upon the relevant security authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Denis Arao and ensure that journalists are able to perform their duties without intimidation, harassment, or unlawful interference,” the statement added.
Lango News Network (LNN) also issued a solidarity statement, strongly condemning the arrest of tndNews reporter Mr. Arao Denis.
“LNN calls on authorities to respect press freedom and ensure journalists can work safely without intimidation or harassment.
“We demand the immediate release of Arao Denis.”
GLCSMS Executive Director and Managing Editor of tndNews, Uganda, Milton Emmy Akwam, condemned the arrest, and said: “Journalism has never, and will never be a crime.”
North Kyoga Regional Police PRO SP Jimmy Patrick Okema spoke of the arrest: “….Denis Arao was taken to Ireda Estate Police NOT in cells but was in the office of the officer in charge of the station, so no call for alarm; the issue is being handled.”
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