A coalition of civil society organizations say police’s continued occupation of the premises Daily Monitor and Red Pepper media houses is illegal since the same court that issued them a search warrant revoked the same search warrant a day later.

In a statement, the CEO of Human Rights Network, Muhamed Ndifuna and the ED of Ugnada National NGO Forum, Richard Ssewakiryanga say the continued closure of media houses after a court order that directs the police to vacate the premises is not only an abuse of court, but also an abuse of rule of law and democracy in Uganda.

They say the police have chosen to ignore their obligations under article 221 of the Constitution, to respect and uphold human rights of the general public in carrying its obligations under the Police Act and the Constitution, and have instead chosen to protect the regime.

Ndifuna and Ssewakiryanga now want police to vacate the premises of the media houses, calling their continued presence economic sabotage, and the charges against the activists who stood in solidarity with the media houses dropped. They were speaking at a press conference at Hurinet offices this afternoon.

Police released the five Human Rights Activists who were arrested yesterday protesting police’s continued deployment at the Daily Monitor despite a court order requiring them to vacate the premises.

The suspects were from Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Human Rights Peace Center and Citizen Coalition for Electoral Democracy.

The Acting Deputy Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango says the 5 suspects were released on bond after recording statements and were ordered to report back next week.

The European Union speaks out on the recent clamp down on the Media saying it is deeply concerned about respect for freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

In a statement the EU Delegation in Uganda says a free, independent and vibrant Press is essential to a democratic society.

Meanwhile Police says it is yet to receive a court order requiring its officers to vacate the Monitor Publication Premises in Namuwongo.

Yesterday Nakawa grade one Magistrate Rosemary Bareebe, the same magistrate who had earlier issued a search warrant to Detective /ASP Emmanuel Mbo-nimpa, reversed her decision, saying the police overstepped the search warrant.

Earlier today the Monitor Publication Chief Operations officer Tom Mshindi says efforts to serve police the order have proved futile after failing to find any officer in the police legal department.

Speaking to journalists in Namuwongo Kampala Metropolitan police commander Andrew Felix Kaweesi denied that they are inaccessible. He notes that despite the court order they will seek an extension of the search warrant if need be.

In a related Development, National Association of Broadcasters asks the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura to adhere to the court order and instruct the

Chairman National Association of Broadcasters Captain Francis Babu says the media should be left to operate freely saying media is part of democracy and development.