Press release to international press freedom and human rights organizations
Posted by admin on December 18 2009 23:06:34
Somali exiled journalists in Uganda outlined jointly press release, expressing their own problems and misinformation news from National Union of Somali Journalists after (NUSOJ) had claimed it assists for the Somali journalists who are in exile in Uganda.
Extended News
Press release to international press freedom and human rights organizations
Press Release
Date: 04/12/2009
Somali exiled journalists in Uganda outlined jointly press release, expressing their own problems and misinformation news from National Union of Somali Journalists after (NUSOJ) had claimed it assists for the Somali journalists who are in exile in Uganda.
After Debating, and analyzing, the journalists underlined the transcript articles.
NUSOJ Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman has edited illegally the voices of some Somali journalists in Kampala, in which they had spoken for their congratulation to the press freedom organizations and human rights defenders who draw their most excellent attention and support for the Somali journalists in Uganda. Mr. Faruk Osman must remove that clips on websites immediately.
The Secretary had posted data of the journalists on websites mentioning that the NUSOJ covers the basic needs for their lives for those journalists in Kampala that is a clear fake and again shameful for NUSOJ.
NUSOJ hasn’t paid the financial assistance which Media Supporters intended for the journalists in Uganda who fled from Mogadishu for insecurity, harassment assassinations, threats and other human rights abuse.
The secretary of NUSOJ has obtained funds on behave for Somali journalists. Unfortunately, no one else knows that money with him, such as the income source and the amount of money.
We are calling to international press freedom organizations and Human rights protectors, as we are journalists who live as refugee in Kampala that NUSOJ is not responsible for us, and organizations must not take untruth report from NUSOJ.
At last, we would enormously appreciate to inform, donors, UN Agencies, international press freedom organizations and Human rights groups to pay on attention and support Somali journalists who have bad circumstances and yet again live as refugee a countries where there is no job opportunities and again no durable salutation.
Our Names are written below.
Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) was alarmed by
reports aimed at defaming, undermining, maligning, mudsling and destrying
credibilty of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Eastern Africa
Journalists Association (EAJA), National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
and UJU. We had started taking drastic measures that were going to have
adverse effect on all exiled Somali journalists in Uganda. Among the steps
that had started included investigating all Somali journalists now in Uganda
and keeping them under surveillance to ascertain whether they are what they
claim to be. We even wanted to find out if they hide under "journalism" to
accomplish their own selfish motives.
Uganda Journalists Union partner in all Somali matters is National Union of
Somali Journalists(NUSOJ), as linked up under the International Federation
of Journalists (IFJ) and EAJA family. Anything outside the IFJ link, would
be of no interest to UJU and we would not be in position to defend or
protect any so called "Somali Journalist" even if it meant being deported by
Kampala authorities. UJU continues to enjoy cordial relationship and
partnership with NUSOJ and will not be derailed by detractors and enemies of
press freedom.
It must be noted here that all Somali Journalists who reside in exile in
Uganda must be prepared to operate under the same arrangement that brought
them to Uganda and which continues to safe guard their interests through the
NUSOJ - UJU partnership. UJU or NUSOJ shall not be held liable to anything
that befalls any Somali journalist or any other exiled national that is
defiant and is bent at sabotaging programs that assist exiled journalists
ihn Uganda.
We shall continue to assist exiled journalists in Uganda if they appreciate
our efforts to try make a safe "haven" for them.
Look forward to your cooperation.
regards
Stephen Ouma Bwire
General Secretary Uganda Journalists Union
Adviser Eastern African Journalists Association (EAJA)