AIB lodges protest with Uganda over CBC/Radio-Canada expulsions

Expulsion of CBC/Radio-Canada journalists by Uganda authorities against principles of media freedom

The Association for International Broadcasting has lodged a formal protest with the Ugandan High Commissions in Canada and the UK following the expulsion of three journalists by the Ugandan authorities. 

Margaret Evans, Jean-Francois Bisson and Lily Martin had been granted visas and media accreditation by the Uganda government and were working on stories in Kampala when they were told to leave the country. 

According to government spokesman Ofwono Opondo, the three journalists had failed to apply for a “journalist visa” – something that does not exist in Uganda. The correct procedure is to obtain an “ordinary visa” and then be accredited by the Uganda Media Centre – a government entity. The CBC/Radio-Canada team had followed these rules.

“It is lamentable that the Ugandan government chose to expel the CBC/Radio-Canada crew,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “What is even more disturbing is that the Ugandan authorities appear to be spreading misinformation suggesting that the team did not follow the correct procedures to obtain authorisation to carry out journalistic work in the country. We expect the Ugandan authorities to issue an apology and to work to uphold media freedom in the country over the coming weeks and months.”