South Sudan frees Ugandan journalists

July 31, 2013 (KAMPALA) – Two Ugandan journalists arrested by South Sudan authorities on Saturday last week have been freed after four days in detention at the National Security Headquarters in Juba.

Mr Justin Dralaze and Mr Hilary Ayesiga were arrested as they filmed along airport road for the US-based Feature Story News (FSN).

The duo were released without any charge but have reportedly been banned from entering South Sudan.

The visibly happy journalist arrived back home Wednesday evening aboard an Air Uganda flight from Juba.

The Uganda Journalists Union welcomed their release saying it was a ‘‘big relief to the Ugandan media fraternity’’.

Also released was Sunday Davit Tut, a local fixer and driver of the Ugandan journalists.

Reporters Without Borders (RWB) said on Wednesday that it was ‘‘relieved to learn that the two journalists’’ had been released.

According to RWB, the two reporters had requested for permission to report from Juba but had began working before they could be granted the permission.

(ST)