A group of journalists, who were assaulted by security personnel while covering the Kawempe North
by-election, have petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission in Kampala. The
journalists are demanding justice and accountability for the treatment
they suffered while performing their duties.
The attack, which was widely condemned, involved reports of
physical assault, abduction, and confiscation of equipment mainly by soldiers
from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and Police. The journalists are Abubaker Lubowa, Denis Kagubo, Raymond
Tamale, and Hasifa Nanvuma from the Nation Media Group (Daily Monitor, NTV, and
Spark TV), as well as Hakiima Wampamba and Francis Isano from Next Media among others.
In solidarity, several journalists, some of whom were injured gathered at the Uganda Human Rights Commission
(UHRC) offices on Lumumba Avenue on Thursday donning t-shirts emblazoned with the message
"JOURNALISM IS NOT A CRIME. They recorded statements detailing their experiences during the Kawempe North election on January 13th.
Others who were violently assaulted during the
nomination day and campaign period have also recorded statements, seeking justice
for the brutal treatment they endured. Among them are Top TV journalist Miracle
Ibra and Spark TV camera operator Steven Kibwiika, who suffered severe injuries
while performing their duties.
Francis Isano, a journalist from Next Media,
who has been hospitalized at Kampala Hospital since the attack, shared
his harrowing experience, stating that he still struggles to come to terms with
the fact that he cannot walk due to the severe injuries he sustained.
//Cue in: “abasirikale bebatukuba…
Cue out: … mutekewo embera.” //
David Mwesigwa, a journalist from Galaxy TV, recounts being assaulted at Kazo Angola polling station. His camera was also confiscated and was told to delete the footage he had captured.
//Cue in: “camera yange …
Cue out: … bagitwala rwansonga .” //
Miracle Ibra, who narrowly lost his eye in a brutal attack, emphasized that it's unacceptable that those responsible for the heinous
crimes against journalists remain at large.
//Cue in: “twetaga obwenkanya …
Cue out: … kubanga omulirimu .” //
Alex Bukumunhe, the Public Relations Officer of
the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), condemned the attack on
journalists, calling it a blatant human rights violation that brings shame to
Uganda. "When you assault a journalist, you commit multiple human rights
violations. These include violation of the right to property, anti-torture
laws, the right to work and earn a living, the public's right to access
information, and freedom of expression among others." Bukumunhe said.
He further noted that attacking journalists is
also an attack on democracy and they are currently recording complaints such
that the investigations can kick off soon.
//Cue in: “tukyanonyereza kubanga …
Cue out: … twetaga obujurizi.” //
The Uganda
People's Defence Forces (UPDF) launched an investigation into allegations of
soldier involvement, but the outcome remains pending.
But various journalist bodies that advocate for press freedom, including the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA), Uganda
Parliament Press Association (UPPA), Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA),
and Human Rights Network for Journalists in Uganda (HRNJ), announced a collective decision to boycott coverage of all
security agency-related activities as a form of protest.
Kamali. M James
Freelancer