According to the petition, on November 3rd, an international Journalist who wasn’t identified was paper-sprayed in the face by policemen while following the National Unity Platform-NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi to the nomination center in Kyambogo.
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the petition
The Foreign
Correspondents Association of Uganda –FCAU, an umbrella body of foreign and
Ugandan Journalists working for the international media has petitioned the government
over the continuous threats and attacks on Journalists by security agencies ahead
of 2021 general elections.
In a petition jointly signed by Taylor and
Grainne Harrington, FCAU expressed concern about the ongoing threats and
violent assaults targeting their members in their line of duty. According
to the petition, on November 3rd, an international Journalist who wasn’t
identified was paper-sprayed in the face by policemen while following the
National Unity Platform-NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi to the
nomination center in Kyambogo.
The
petition also says that on the same day images of international Journalists
were shared on social media falsely accusing them of being “Central
Intelligence Agency-CIA agents from USA who were masquerading as journalists in
Uganda.
“These spurious
allegations were later shared on Twitter by an account belonging to Col. Paddy
Ankunda, a Military Intelligence Operative but following complaints, Col.
Ankunda deleted his tweet. Attempts to spread lies about accredited journalists
is dangerous and jeopardizes our safety. This has to stop,” reads the petition.
FCAU notes
that on November 5th, 2020, Moses Bwayo, a Ugandan Journalist
working for an international media house was shot in the face by policemen
while filming the arrival of Kyagulanyi at the National Unity Platform-NUP
offices in Kamwokya. It also says that a
foreign Journalist working for one of the biggest news organizations in the
world was denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe airport.
The
Journalist body notes that barring International Journalists, just two months
before the 2021 general elections sets a disturbing precedent, painting an
image like other countries that have barred international journalists to be the
most repressive on the continent. “As FCUA we want the Minister of ICT
and National guidance, Judith Nabakoba to use his powers to stop the use of
smears and violence against Journalist in Uganda,” reads the petition.
Adding that,
“We also appeal to the leaders of police, the army and other security agencies
to protect journalists doing their jobs.”FCUA also calls for investigations
into the cases of assault and appropriate action be taken against the
implicated security officers.
The
the petition is copied to the ICT Minister, Judith Nabakoba, Inspector General of
Police, Martin Okoth Ochola, the Chief of Defense Forces- CDF, Gen. David
Muhoozi and Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Kutesa.
