Police have summonsed two top managers of Daily Monitor newspaper to record statements in light of a story published on Monday detailing new evidence on who could have shot protestors on Kampala Road in November 18th-19th 2020 Kampala Killings where protests broke out following the arrest of Opposition politician Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, while on his campaign trail in Luuka District Eastern Uganda.
Summoned are Mr Tony Glencross, the managing director, Nation Media Group- Uganda and Mr Tabu Butagira, the managing editor, Nation Media Group- Uganda.
According to the May 31 police summons, the duo is wanted for alleged publication of false news, libel and incitement to violence.
However, the offence of publication of false news was annulled from the law books.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is carrying out investigations into alleged incitement to violence to the public,” the police summons signed off by Mr Paul Kato read in part.
The summons further reads: “You are directed to appear before the commissioner, Electoral and Political Crimes department at Kibuli CID headquarters on June 2 (today) at 10.00 hours for interview and statement recording.”
Daily Monitor’s story followed an investigation by BBC Africa Eye programme that found new evidence that in November 2020, titled. Three Killings in Kampala, revealing men, who allegedly targeted and shot civilians dead on Kampala Road, wore military police and field force police uniforms.
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They were captured in multiple videos analysed by the British public broadcaster to have sat on the left back-side of a patrol police pickup, registration UP5564, and emblazoned with number 17 on the sides.
Further, forensic analysis of 400 videos shows, among others, that the shooters spotted military and field police uniforms and were riding on the back of 999 police patrol car number 17, with registration number UP 5564.
Responding to the summons yesterday, Mr Glencross said: “I have received the summons and we have responded. We will obviously comply; however, their notification is too short being less than 24 hours. I am also currently self-isolating in accordance with the Ministry of Health standard operating procedures because of Covid-19 exposure on May 25, and as soon as the 14 day period is over, I will report for the interview and statement recording.”
Likewise, Mr Daniel Kalinaki, the general manager-editorial, NMG-Uganda, said: “We, as usual, will cooperate with the police. However, I am sure most Ugandans want to know the armed men that shot and killed unarmed people last November.”
“Our earlier reporting and now this latest report shows that many were not involved in the protests. We need to know who their commanders were, the orders they had and what steps are being taken to hold them accountable and bring justice to the victims,” he added.
Mr Butagira’s lawyers of Nangwala, Rezida & Co. Advocates said their client is currently on a field assignment and that given the short notice; it is not possible that he will be able to appear in person for interview and statement record