By Kabuye Ronald
The Alternative DigiTalk Media through its lawyers of Kiiza and Mugisha Advocates has written to the director Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Uganda police requesting it to return the its confiscated property and those belonging to their staff.
It should be recalled that on 10th, March, 2022, police and other security operatives arrested 7 journalists and one novelist from the Alternative Digi Talk offices and detained them at special investigation division, Kireka and conducted a search in which they confiscated several property.
Some the property they want police to return include cell phones, CDs in the names of Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Prof. Kanyeihamba, Dr. Maria Matembe, Yona Kanyomoozi, 7 copies of Kanyeihamba foundation company and other property not related to the investigations mostly belonging to the Alternative DigiTalk company.
On 15th, March 2022, police released the 7 journalists on bond namely: Mukose Arnold Anthony, Faridah Bikobera Lilian, Lilian Luwedde, Nabukeera Teddy, Mukiibi Jeremiah, Turyahabwe Rogers and Jeje Wabyonaon however the duo of Norman Tumuhimbise and Bikobere farida were charged on the 16th March 2022 with offense of Cyber Stalking and and Offensive Communication Contrary to Section 26 and 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2019.
The Alternative DigiTalk requested police to swiftly return the said property since its irrelevant to the named charges or investigations.
The lawyers also stated that the continued confiscation of the property militates against their client’s fundamental human rights and Freedoms to property (Article 26), due process (Article 28), administrative justice (Article 42), right to work (Article 40) and civic liberties granted by Article 38 of the constitution of the republic of Uganda, 1995
