Journalist in Uganda arrested for interviewing Afghan refugee

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - A senior correspondent with Germany’s Deutsche Press Agentur was arrested at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel Entebbe after he interviewed an Afghan refugee, according to officials.

The hotel is currently housing Afghan refugees.

Henry Waswa, 60, was arrest Thursday and is currently detained at the Entebbe police station on criminal trespass charges.

Waswa told the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-UGANDA) that he was booked at the hotel after paying $167 and spent one night at the hotel.

"There was no indication that the hotel was out of bounds much as there was a heavy security presence," said Waswa.

"We find it strange that a journalist is charged and kept in cells over a charge of criminal trespass where the hotel duly booked him in. At the time of his arrest by two plain clothed security personnel, Waswa had not published any news story. So we call upon the police for his release and return of his journalist gadgets which were confiscated. We also urge the security to respect his rights as a journalist." HRNJ said in a statement.

The General Secretary of the Entebbe Journalists Association, Diana Kibuuka, said there was no information barring journalists from covering refugees at the hotel.

If there are any restrictions, the government should inform the media fraternity.

Police officer Jack Omo said the arrest came after an order from senior officers.

Authorities warned journalists on Wednesday that they should be very careful about reporting on Afghans in Uganda.