Red Pepper editors reveal computer passwords to detectives

Red Pepper Chief Commercial Officer James Mujuni (wearing T-shirt) is arrested by security operatives on Tuesday during the police raid on the company premises. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

KAMPALA- Editors of a local daily tabloid, the Red Pepper have been forced to reveal passwords of their computers to police detectives who are trying to establish the source of a Monday story about an alleged plot by Uganda to overthrow the Rwanda government.

A source intimated to Daily Monitor that the editors were on Thursday night driven from Nalufenya Detention facility in Jinja, where they are being incarcerated since Tuesday and forced them to open their computers and mails in the presence of police investigators.

Police Wednesday asked the editors to reveal passwords to their computers and other electronic gadgets confiscated on Tuesday at the publication’s premises but they declined on account that such disclosure would jeopardise the confidentiality of their sources and expose them to danger.

Police spokesperson, Mr Emilian Kayima, confirmed that police accessed documents on editors’ computers and mails but dismissed reports of subjecting the journalists to torture and other sorts of inhumane treatment.

“We did not beat or treat them in any manner that violates their rights. They gave out the passwords because it was part of our investigations. When someone asks for your phone password and you have nothing criminal to hide, you don’t hesitate?” Mr Kayima said.
Police on Thursday slapped treason charges on eight managers and editors of tabloid.

They are: Arinaitwe Rugyendo, James Mujuni, Richard Tusiime, Johnson Musinguzi Byarabaha, Ben Byarabaha, Patrick Mugumya, Richard Kintu and Francis Tumusiime.
The development has attracted criticism from local and international human rights and journalists bodies.

The eight editors and directors were arrested on Tuesday in an operation commanded by Kampala Metropolitan police commander, Frank Mwesigwa.
Mr Kayima said police charged them under provisions of the Penal Code Act and the Computer Misuse Act.

“We have submitted the case file to DPP [Directorate of Public Prosecutions]. The charges include treason contrary to Section 23 (b) of Penal Code Act and offensive communication contrary to Section 25 of the Computer Misuse Act,” Mr Kayima told Daily Monitor.

According to Section 23(b), treason refers to an action by any person who unlawfully causes or attempts to cause the death of the President or, with intent to maim or disfigure or disable, unlawfully wounds or does any harm to the person of the President, or aims at the person of the President any gun, offensive weapon, pistol or any description of firearm, whether it contains any explosive or destructive substance or not.

Section 25 of Computer Misuse Act states that any person who wilfully and repeatedly uses electronic communication to disturb or attempts to disturb the peace, quiet or right of privacy of any person with no purpose of legitimate communication whether or not a conversation ensues commits a misdemeanor and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty four currency points (Shs480,000) or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.