Subsequent to the Urgent Action issued on 7 May 2010, Front Line has received the following information with regard to the judicial and police harassment against human rights defenders Messrs Prosper Businge and Joram Bintamanya, members of the Twerwaneho Listeners' Club.

Further Information

Front Line welcomes news that on 14 May 2010 at approximately 4pm, charges against both Prosper Businge and Joram Bintamanya were dropped. Consequently, they no longer have to report to police on a weekly basis, as had been the case previously. Prosper Businge and Joram Bintamanya were arrested and detained on 1 and 7 April 2010 respectively in relation to their appearance on a radio talk show in which they had made statements critical of the government and Uganda Peoples' Defence forces.

According to Front Line's sources, however, the District Police Commander (DPC) has sent a recording of the broadcast in question to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will analyse it and report as to whether any crime was committed. Thus, there remains a possibility that new charges could be brought against them.

The previous Front Line Appeal regarding this case can be found at www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2493