Uganda: Ugandan Authorities Detained Eight Months Pregnant Journalist Jacklin Nabatanzi Over Her Journalistic Coverage
Location: Nairobi, Uganda Date: July 26, 2022
Jacklin Nabatanzi, a reporter for the private broadcaster Kiira FM, was arrested along with her colleagues for their alleged link to the May 14 murder of businessman Shaban Malole. The journalist was released two days after her arrest. However, the investigation against her continues. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) condemns the arbitrary detention of the journalist eight months pregnant and demands that Ugandan authorities drop the investigation immediately.
According to news reports, the four journalists, including Jacklin are among a group of suspects who were recently arrested for alleged links to the May 14 murder of businessman Shaban Malole. The businessman was shot dead by two assailants on a motorcycle on May 14 outside his home.
On June 11, Jacklin Nabatanzi was detained for allegedly possessing a stolen phone, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). During her interrogation, officers seized her phone but only questioned her about Malole’s killing, she told CPJ. By the time of her arrest, the journalist was eight months pregnant.
According to a police document posted by Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U) on Twitter, authorities released Jacklin free of charge on June 13, on the condition that she report it to the police as specified. Police officers have not returned the journalist’s phone as of July 22.
Kiira FM radio journalist Nabatanzi Jacklin was released on bond by the Kiira Regional Police on allegations of conspiracy to murder a businessman who was gunned down by unknown assailants. Police are still investigating the matter pic.twitter.com/RljdONeGNQ
— HRNJ-Uganda (@HRNJUganda) June 15, 2022
Ugandan authorities arrested Jacklin in June and detained three other reporters in July; As of July 22, Jacklin and Muganza Julius Kiyumba, a reporter for another private broadcaster City FM 96, were investigated but not charged with any charges. Ivan Mutyaba and Denis Isabirye, on the other hand, were charged with murder and attempted to murder and are still being held at Kirinya Prison in the eastern city of Jinja, according to HRNJ-U reports.
The four journalists traveled from Jinja to the disputed land in the Kamuli district on May 14, spoke to several of Malole's family members, and tried to interview the businessman, who refused to speak to them. On that evening the businessman was shot dead at his home after the journalists returned to Jinja.
Abbey Mwase, a local politician and a relative of Malole, provided the journalists with a vehicle they used and accompanied them on their trip. Mwase was detained after the police claimed that his car was used to carry weapons. The journalists denied the accusations.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the baseless accusations against journalists solely for doing their job. We demand Ugandan authorities drop the investigation into Jacklin. Journalists must freely report the matters to the public.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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