Three TV presenters working for Next Media Services have been remanded to Kitalya Prison until October 15 over defamatory remarks.
Isaac Kawalya Ssemulondo alias Kayz, Bryan Kennedy Waako and Williams Makuliro are accused of repeatedly attacking artist Emmanuel Ssuuna alias Omulangira Ssuna on TV.
The fourth accused, Ibrahim Tusubira alias Isma Olaxess was on the run by press time. Three of the accused appeared in Buganda Road Magistrate Court yesterday where they were charged and remanded.
They are reported to have committed the crime on August 27, 2021 during their TV program on Sanyuka TV.
The accused persons made defamatory remarks about singer Ssuna’s family affairs, accused him of being tormented by evil spirits and not being the rightful owner of a storied building and a pine plantation that he recently showed off.
Shortly after, Omulangira Ssuna dragged Next Media Services to courts of law over defamation and character assassination, a case filed through his lawyers Mr. Robert Lutaalo and Precious Nahabwe from Elgon Associated Advocates.
Basing on the documents served to Next Media Services, the singer wants to be compensated with Shs1 billion for damages made to his brand. After the compensation, the document stipulates that the TV should make a public apology, punish its presenters and delete all the video clips from the internet in which the defamatory remarks were made.
The criminal investigations Directorate ( CID) spokesperson, Charles Twiine confirmed the charges against the four suspects saying that their case file was sanctioned and they were remanded until October 15, 2021.
“Journalists and people in the media should be careful when talking about people in the media to avoid making statements that are criminal in nature. These four presenters made repeatedly offensive statements on TV despite caution from the complainants,” he said.
Twiine added that efforts to hunt for Isma Olaxess are ongoing since he is part of the suspects on the sanctioned file.
” He should be a good civilian and bring himself to police to avoid embarrassment,” he said.
