Uganda Police have released KTN news anchor and reporter Joy Doreen Biira who had been arrested on Sunday for allegedly posting on social media details of mass killings in Kasese. Joy, who had been taken in alongside her fiancé and four others, were released Monday evening on a police bond.
The King of Rwenzururu Charles Mumbere had earlier been arrested over claims that he was supporting the militia that fought against the government forces. About 55 people were killed during the massacre that led to the arrest of several other journalists in Uganda.
Police had earlier conducted a searched in the house where Joy was staying. She had been in her home district, Kasese, for her traditional wedding ceremony that took place Saturday, a day before the deadly clashes. Following the arrest, police claimed that she had trespassed an area that had been cordoned off at the palace of Rwenzururu king, an allegation that her family denied.
The KTN news anchor and reporter Joy Doreen Biira and four others have been charged with ‘abetting terrorism’ and released on bond. Thereafter, Joy had a long chat with Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kiiza after her release from Kasese.
Joy and her co accused were Sunday taken into police custody allegedly over a post she made on social media over fighting between Ugandan security forces and armed militia.
The King of Rwenzururu was also detained during the police swoop following clashes between the police and militia. King Charles Wesley Mumbere is accused of inciting violence after militiamen reportedly attacked a police post in his hometown of Kasese.