There are signs of peace after authorities from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) met with their Ugandan counterparts over security threats against Radio Terra FM and its staff that left two men arrested last month.
The radio which is stationed at the border of the two countries on the side of the DRC has since January this year faced threats of being burnt down and some of its staff killed.
The threats were linked to their broadcasts that were allegedly interpreted to be attacking some local leaders of Uganda and some community members accused of bribery to aid illegal fishing and encroachment on wetlands.
However, in response, a diplomatic action has been taken where the Mahagi Territorial authorities of DRC and their counterparts of Pakwach district of Uganda met to address the threats.
Mr Lawrence Alithum, the Head of Security for Dei sub-county, Pakwach district has told Kazi-njema News that they had a fruitful meeting during which it was resolved that they embrace dialogue to end the conflict between the suspects and Terra FM.
According to him, no more claims of threats have been heard from Terra FM staff since that meeting was held in Dei at the end of last month.
“During the meeting many issues emerged and some Terra FM staff members were accused of attacking some community members and Ugandan leaders while on air without giving them [leaders] a chance to defend themselves,” he said.
Mr Alithum pointed out issues like continual accusations against some local leaders of conniving with fisheries operatives to aid illegal fishing on Lake Albert leaving the poor and less connected in poverty.
It was also alleged that the radio aired programmes that condemned some leaders of receiving bribes to allow encroachment on wetlands as flood water receded on Lake Albert contrary to the directive from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
“We appreciate the radio as an important tool for development of our citizens and so we agreed to address the issue through dialogue. Weaknesses from both sides were highlighted and commitments for improvement and assurance of security of the radio station and its staff were made,” said Mr Alithum who is also the sub-county political head.
Meanwhile, Terra FM Programmes Manager, Mr Yona Okello, said they were committed to cooperate with all stakeholders in driving their objective of defending environmental and human rights of the Albertine region communities for sustainable development.
He dismissed allegations of airing unbalanced information saying that some leaders that the community implicated in alleged corruption tendencies have been declining invitations to participate in radio talk shows that carry critical community issues.
The Congolese delegation to the meeting was led by the cultural leader of Mahagi Port, Rwoth Onenchan Chobidongo while the Ugandan delegation was led by the Panyimur cultural leader, Rwoth Charles Kwonga Ombidi.
The DRC police said they had released Jean Aworai and Shadrach Ajaruva arrested over Terra FM security threats as a way of facilitating dialogue.
The two Congolese nationals were part of the 12 suspects but 10 including five Ugandans were at large before the cross border dialogue. No leader was on the list of the wanted.
Majority of the radio employees reside at Uganda’s Dei border parts of Pakwach district and walk across the border to Kolokoto, Mahagi Port, Bunia district of the DRC for work.
Terra FM, which is nearly completing two years on air, is built on the pillars of environmental and human rights advocacy targeting communities affected by the civil conflict in the DRC and extractive industry in the two neighouring countries. It is a brainchild of Ngetha Media Association led by activist, Robert Agenonga.
