Kabale Radio Station Manager Arrested for Alleged Theft of Film Equipment From a Canadian National

A Kabale based journalist, Mr James King Bagyenzi who is also the station manager of Hope Radio Kabale based in Kabale Municipality in Kabale District was on Tuesday arrested by police from Kabale Central Police Station on allegations of stealing film equipment and money from a Canadian National, all valued at about 8800 US dollars equivalent to over UGX 33 million.

Mr Bagyenzi who is also the Executive Director of Reel Impact Foundation, a non governmental organisation operating in Kabale Municipality is said to have partnered with Mr Harry Samuel Cherniack’s, a United in Film Project, to support the youths in Kigezi region, in equipping them with skills in film editing and production.

“I came to Kigezi region few years ago to work with Mr James King Bagyenzi, and my organization United in Film project helped Mr Bagyenzi to start his organization Reel Impact Foundation with the idea of sharing a goal of African stories.  We worked together for few years and I handed to Mr Bangyenzi my equipments including drone cameras, handled cameras, Tripods, Mark book laptop, camera reflector and millions of moneys among others.  Through the United in Film Project, I promised to continue funding the activities of Reel Impact Foundation in Kigezi region,” Mr Cherniac said

Mr Cherniack added that they also agreed in writing that Mr Bagyenzi, wound hand back his equipment any time he wants them but he was surprised in 2019, when he came back to demand for his equipment and Bagyenzi started threatening him.

The Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, Mr Elly Maate confirmed the arrested of Mr Bagyenzi on Tuesday afternoon and currently detained at Kabale Central Police Station. The case has been registered under reference number CRB 1142/2020.

Maate said that the case was reported by Harry Samuel Cherniack, a film producer at Kabale Central Police Station on 21st this month, after they partnered four years back, but when the complainant demanded his equipment, the suspect continued dodging him.

Maate said that on Tuesday, he was arrested and some of the equipment have been recovered, and investigations have started after which a way forward will be determined.