Fugitive UMUCO Journalist non-existent



Kigali, March 31 (RNA) - The High Council of the Press (HCP) wants the journalist who wrote the article in UMUCO newspaper that has caused a storm here punished but the supposed reporter does not seem to exist, officials say.



A person by the names Jason Mukasa appears as the by-line for the headline story in UMUCO newspaper for which police has been searching for the fugitive Managing-Editor Mr. Bonaventure Bizimuremyi.



High Council of the Press has also backed calls by the Rwanda Media Ethics Committee to have Mr. Bizimuremyi prosecuted by the courts of law for defaming President Paul Kagame. The 9-member Council also concurred that the actual reporter who wrote the story be prosecuted as well.



However, according to the Council Executive Secretary Mr. Patrice Mulama, there is no journalist in Rwanda with the names Jason Mukasa. Mr. Mulama said since there are no records about that journalist means he/she does not exist in the country.



As part of its mandate, the government-instituted council keeps record of the newsmedia and the journalists in Rwanda. It also awards Press Cards to local journalists and acreditation to foreigners.



Bizimuremyi was everything in UMUCO working from nowhere, Mr. Mulama told RNA. "He was the owner, the editor, the journalist, the administrator, the office messanger and without any office".



He added: "Do your homework about UMUCO or most of the newspapers here and you will not believe what you will find out. That is how most of the newspapers operate in this country".



Speculation among journalists here indicates that Mr. Bizimuremyi has been using pseudo-names as by-lines for the often critical opinion pieces in the newspaper.



Last year, several senior officials appeared on a talk-show accusing UMUCO and other similar newspapers of working with 'negative forces' - a reference to exiled opposition and militias.



There is some suggest as well that some of the articles the controversial Issue 45 of UMUCO may have been written by members of the so called 'negative forces'.



Meanwhile, Police has issued arrest warrants for Mr. Bizimuremyi but he still remains at large. Police also said there would be a reward for any information leading to the his arrest adding that he would rounded up whether in the country or outside with help of Interpol.



As the Managing-Editor of the newspaper, according to the HCP Executive Secretary, the law prescribes that Mr. Bizimuremyi should answer for any criminal liability. (End)



ARI-RNA/Media./FMW/ 31. 03. 08/ 14 : 00 GMT



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