Uganda’s leading independent newspaper began publishing again on Thursday, after being closed for a week by the government for reporting that a military helicopter was shot down by rebels.
Police withdrew from The Monitor’s offices on Wednesday and returned seized files, mobile phones and computers to the editors.
The paper will be back on the streets on Friday morning.
”We are coming out tomorrow (Friday) with a bigger paper, twice the size of the normal edition,” editor Charles Bichachi said.
”The public is waiting for us. We will have a lot of exclusives.”
The Monitor ran a story on October 10 reporting that an army helicopter was downed the previous day while fighting northern rebels.
Government and military officials denied the report, closed the paper and arrested the journalist who wrote the story.
The Monitor’s managing editor, Charles Obbo, and deputy news editor, Wanyama Wangah, were charged on Wednesday for publishing false news and publishing information ”prejudicial to national security”.
Both men pleaded innocent and were released on 1,5-million shillings ($800) bond each. If convicted the men face up to seven years in prison.
Frank Nyakairu (34) was charged on Thursday with reporting false news and publication of information prejudicial to the security of the state, which can carry a seven-year prison sentence. He was released on 2,5-million shilling ($1 340) bond.
Information Minister Basoga Nsadhu issued a statement on Wednesday night announcing the re-opening of The Monitor, but also issued a warning to journalists.
”Once again, all media houses and practicing journalists are advised to always uphold their ethics, observe the laws of the republic of Uganda and be mindful of national security,” he said.
Bichachi said on Thursday that prior to the helicopter story, some government officials from government had lobbied to ban The Monitor for its independent editorial policy.
”This helicopter story was just an excuse. Some elements in government had for a long time wanted to close The Monitor … In a cabinet meeting about four weeks ago, they proposed the closure of The Monitor, but others opposed this,” he said.
Bichachi said the paper could no longer comment on the report about the helicopter because of the court case.
Regional intelligence sources, however, have told The Associated Press in neighbouring Kenya that it appeared that a Ugandan helicopter had been shot down. – Sapa-AP