Kalungu Traffic Boss Assaults Reporter

Ismael Ssozi Ssekimpi, a journalist with Central Broadcasting Station-CBS FM based in Masaka region is nursing head injuries he sustained in an attack by a Traffic Police officer.

Ssekimpi was rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital on Sunday night shortly after being assaulted by Victor Tumwebaze, the Kalungu District Traffic Officer while covering an accident involving two vehicles at Kabale-Bugonzi village along Kampala- Masaka road.   

According to Ssekimpi, Tumwebaze hit him severally on the head with a stick accusing him of getting closer to the scene. He explains that he tried to flee for dear life but the officer pursued him and assaulted him despite introducing himself as a journalist.    

//Cue in: “I was brutally beaten………       

Cue out…………………..like a snake,"//

 

A medical report by Dr. Herbert Kalema from Masaka Hospital shows that Ssekimpi suffered multiple injuries on the head and left ear. Ssekimpi has opened a case of assault against the police officer at Lukaya police station vide SD REG/03/07/06/2020.   

Muzafaruh Nsubuga, a local reporter who witnessed the incident, said the officer acted brutally against his colleague. 

It is alleged that there has been a longstanding grudge between the two with the officer accusing the reporter of filing stories that have caused the dismissal and demotion of several police officers.

Tumwebaze has since denied the accusations, saying he wasn’t even at the scene as Ssekimpi claims. Vienne Birungi, the Officer in Charge of Lukaya Police Station, says investigations in the matter have kicked off.  

 

 //Cue in: “I don’t even know………     

Cue out…………………..yakubye omuntu,”//