A Ugandan radio journalist, Ronald Ssembuusi, has been convicted of criminal defamation for reporting allegations of theft by an official.
It was almost three years ago that Ssembuusi's report was aired on Central Broadcasting Service (CBS).
The story alleged that about 40 solar panels donated by the African Development Bank to Kalangala district had gone missing. It claimed that Dan Kikoola, a former district chairman, was a suspect.
The Kalangala magistrate ruled that a statement implying that a person is suspected of committing a criminal offence "is definitely false and defamatory."
He dismissed arguments by Ssembuusi's counsel about the journalist's right to freedom of speech and announced that he will be sentenced on 17 October.
Ssempala Robert, the national coordinator of the Human Rights Network of Uganda, said: "It is unfortunate that the court is determined to punish a messenger for airing a genuine concern of misappropriation of public resources by public officials.
"Those entrusted with managing public funds must be held to account, and the only way to do this is through the media. The courts must not stifle the process."
He pointed out that criminal defamation has been outlawed in progressive jurisdictions.
Source: Human Rights Network, Uganda
