Ugadan Photojournalist Nominated for 2012 CNN Awards

Newsroom; The Observer newspaper photojournalist, Edward Echwalu is among the 27 journalists nominated for the 17th edition of the 2012 CNN Multichoice African Journalism awards. This years awards are scheduled for July 21 in Lusaka, Zambia. Known for his calm and laidback demeanour, Echwalu is one of the most respected photojournalists in Uganda. Yet it had to take the efforts of editors and friends to convince him to submit his works for nomination. "After weeks of pleading, Echwalu reluctantly submitted in five photos just a day to the submission deadline. The rather chilling, cinematic photos were all taken during last year’s walk-to-work riots. He hence dubbed his submission folder ‘Walk to Work or Walk to Death’." reads a story on The Observer's website. Reacting to news of his nomination, Echwalu, in his trademark solitary voice had this to say: “My pictures depict terror and that is a reminder to all photojournalists that we do not work for ourselves but rather for the good of society no matter what it takes.” Other Ugandan journalists that have won the award include last year's winners: Norman Katende (Photojournalism), Farouk Kayondo (TV News) and Benon Herbert Oluka (Tourism). Leone Ssenyange, (2010 Sports Award), Carolyne Nakazibwe (2002’s Health Reporting category) and Richard Kavuma (overall accolade in 2007). Earlier this year, Police officers allegedly beat Edward Echwalu as he was trying to cover the arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye at Kira Road Police Station in the capital, Kampala. On April 5th, he recorded a statement with the police's Professional Standards Unit. Police promised to thoroughly investigate the matter within three weeks and hold anyone found responsible accountable, but by press time, the case was not yet resolved.

Journalist charged with incitement to violence, remanded

Uganda Press; Daily Monitor Ntungamo-based reporter, Perez Rumanzi, has been charged with incitement to violence and remanded in custody for 14 days. The new charge, preferred before the Ntungamo Grade One Magistrate Machenga Francis, was amended from the terrorism and obstruction charges that were initially brought against him before he was released on police bond in April. Rumanzi, 27, was arrested by Special Forces Group (SFG) guarding the first Lady Janet Museveni on Sunday, April 29 for allegedly interfering with the security of the first lady. Prosecution alleges that Rumanzi conducted himself in a manner that got the security concerned. It is alleged that he interfered with the movement of security people, and hurled insults at them, saying their time will come like it happened with Muammar Gaddafi. Ms Janet Museveni was the chief guest at the installation ceremony of the members of South Ankole Diocese synod at Kyamate Cathedral. Rumanzi nearly escaped jail when the magistrate said that the charge of “incitement to violence” was not on the charge sheet, and ordered him to produce two sureties so that he could be released pending amendment of the charge sheet. However, he failed to provide the sureties, and was remanded to Ntungamo Government prison until May 30. Rumanzi says he was cleared to cover the ceremony, but left the venue to off-load pictures from his camera’s memory card. On coming back he was denied access to the venue by Ms Museveni’s security personnel who said he was not cleared. “When they told me to go away, I went and kept the camera and returned to attend the service because I had just been cleared in the morning. They then said they did not want me there. They arrested me and called police to take me to the cells,” Rumanzi says. He will appear before court on May 30.

Journalist Killed in Kasese

Uganda Press; Journalists in Kasese District have condemned the killing of there colleague, Amon Thembo Wa'Mupagashya. According to Kasese Central Police, Thembo was attacked and shot dead by unknown armed thugs at about 1am in Kyogha village, Bwera Sub-county, on friday night as he returned from covering a wedding. Thembo, 42, was the director of the Mupagashya Community television centre in Kasese Town. Police say a witness, the deceased’s son, Arnold Mumbere, said men immediately took off with his father’s video camera, a jacket and a bag after being shot. The boy survived unhurt in the process. In a meeting chaired by the district information officer, Mr John Thawithe, journalists said their professional work is at risk if the security personnel do not intervene in curbing insecurity. In a joint statement, the journalists said: “It is tragic that our colleague Amon Thembo died in such a manner. We condemn with strongest terms the killing of our colleague. May the police and other security personnel intensify their operations and investigations so that the assailants are brought to book.” Thembo is survived by a wife and three children. He was buried in Kyogha yesterday.