Police has come out to explain that Red Pepper offices are currently a scene of crime and will remain besieged as long as it’s necessary.
On Tuesday evening, operatives from Counter -Terrorism unit raided Namanve based newspaper ordering all employers to halt operations, their phones confiscated and locked up in the premises.
New police spokesperson Emilian Kayima, in a statement sent to this website he said the siege hinges on the November 20th false story published by Red Pepper titled “Museveni plotting to overthrow Kagame-Rwanda.”
“The Uganda Police Force, this morning initiated
investigations into the serious statements and insinuations in that story that have grave implications on national and regional security and stability,” Kayima said.
The initial investigations are being carried under S 37 of the Penal Code Act, which provides for the offence of “publication of information prejudicial to security”.
He added that however, this does not preclude other offences that may be disclosed in the course of the investigations.
“The Police, in carrying out the investigations, is following
the law to the letter. This morning, the CID secured a search warrant from court, on the basis of which, Police has, this evening entered the premises of the Red Pepper for the purpose of conducting a search, and to carry out
necessary investigations. The Red Pepper premises, since they are a scene of crime, have been cordoned off to facilitate these investigations, and will remain so as long as it is necessary.”
He concluded that the premises of The Red Pepper have been secured and will remain cordoned off until further notice.