With the country still baffled by the gunning down of Makmot Akena on Sunday morning, the Media Council has warned Hello Uganda, a Red Pepper publication, over its reporting of the incident.
Monday’s edition of Hello Uganda run under the screaming headline: MUNYAKOLE TYCOON SHOOTS ACHOLI GUY TO IMPRESS BABE.
The cover was further spruced with photos of Matthew Kanyamunyu, Makamot Akena and Cynthia Muwangari.
The headline irked the Media Council, prompting Paulo Ekonyu to pen a warning letter to Hello Uganda, effectively banning them from any further reporting on the murder.
“The article manifestly sectarian (tendencies) contrary to section 41 of the Penal Code cap 120 and is blatantly misleading to suggest that a crime has been committed on the basis of ethnicity, “Mr Ekonyu’s letter reads in part.
Mr Ekonyu also put Hello Uganda on notice that is not registered as a newspaper in Uganda.
In no uncertain terms, Mr Ekonyu ordered Hello Uganda not to publish any other stories about the murder lest further action would be taken.
Below is the letter to Red pepper.
Ref: MC/PRT/16/005
November 14, 2016
The Chief Executive Officer,
Pepper Publications Limited
KAMPALA.
Dear Sir / Madam,
RE: ARTICLE TITLED “MUNYANKORE TYCOON SHOOTS ACHOLI GUY DEAD TO IMPRESS BABE @ GAME MALL”
This is in reference to your above captioned article published in your Hello Newspaper of Monday 14th November 2016 Vol. 5 No. 018.
The article, in particular the headline is manifestly sectarian contrary to the provisions of Section 41 of the Penal Code Act Cap. 120, and blatantly misleading as to suggest that a crime has been committed on the basis of ethnicity. The manner of reporting is grossly irresponsible.
Pursuant to powers vested in the Council under Section 9 of the Press and Journalists Act Cap. 105 you are hereby directed to stop and desist from reporting the said subject crime, or any other, in the impugned manner and/or directing the reporting of the crime to an ethnic context that is likely to offend the provisions of Section 41 of the Penal Code Act abovementioned.
Should you opt to continue in the same manner of reporting further action shall be taken to against you accordingly.
You are also hereby put on notice the you have not registered the particulars of Hello Newspaper as required under Section 5 of the Press and Journalists Act, which is an offence under the law.
For: MEDIA COUNCIL OF UGANDA
Paulo Ekochu
CHAIRMAN
c.c. Hon. Frank Tumwebaze,
Minister for Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance
Kampala.
c.c. Hon. Mr. Justice Mike Chibita
Director of Public Prosecutions
Kampala.
c.c. The Chairperson,
Parliamentary Committee on Information, Communication and Technology
Kampala.
c.c. The Commissioner Media Crimes
Uganda Police Force.
Kampala.
