Uganda court blocks bid to suspend journalists

Uganda's High Court yesterday blocked a government bid to suspend dozens of top journalists on the grounds their coverage of the arrest of popstar MP Bobi Wine had endangered national security. The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) this month called for 13 radio and TV stations to suspend their news editors, producers and heads of programming over their coverage of the latest detention of the popular rapper and politician. BusinessLIVE reports that two activists petitioned the court on behalf of the Uganda Journalists Association to have the order struck down. 'I am aware of the national security interests but regulatory actions cannot be used to trample the rights of people's freedoms and right to information,' said Judge Lydia Mugambe.