UPDF admits to battering journalists, asks to settle case out of court
May 5, 2021 Army officers descend on journalists earlier in February
The Uganda People s Defense Forces (UPDF) has asked the High court in Kampala to allow them to settle out of court a case in which they were sued over battering journalists earlier this year.
City lawyer Steven Kalali sued the government on behalf of journalists for battering several journalists on February 22, 2021, who d gone to cover National Unity Platform former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi as he delivered a petition to the United Nations High Commission in Kololo challenging gross human rights violations in the country.
These were covering former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi who had taken his petition challenging human rights violations in the country.
According to Kalali, on the fateful day of February 17th, military police officers descended on journalists who were performing their lawful duties and beat them indiscriminately injuring many of them.
He named Henry Ssekanjako and Timothy Murungi from Vision group, NTV’s Cliff Wamala, and NBS TV’s Josephine Namakumbi as some of the journalists who were injured by the officers.
As such, Kalali noted that previously, the agents of government have violated the constitutional articles guaranteeing freedom of the press and also infringed on the journalist’s right to practice their profession.
UPDF say seven soldiers have been charged for assaulting journalists monitor.co.ug - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from monitor.co.ug Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Daily Monitor
Wednesday February 17 2021
Journalists display injuries they sustained after security operatives attacked them while covering Bobi Wine on February 17, 2021
Summary
At least 10 journalists were left nursing injuries after military personnel attached to the Uganda People s Defence Forces (UPDF) assaulted them while covering Mr Kyagulanyi who was accompanied by relatives of Ugandans who have been abducted by security operatives during and after elections.
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Police and UPDF on Wednesday accused National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine of holding unlawful procession as they justified attack on journalists who were covering the former presidential candidate as he delivered his petition to the United Nation Human Rights offices in Kampala.
Military Police in Uganda has beaten journalists who were covering National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wineâs petition to the United Nations (UN) this afternoon.
The affected journalists include NBS TVâs Josephine Namakumbi, Timothy Murungi and Henry Ssekanjako of the New Vision, John Cliff Wamala of NTV, Irene Abalo Otto of Daily Monitor, and Shamim Nabakooza of Record TV.
Speaking to Nile Post, NBSâ Namakumbi said that they were covering the incident where security forces blocked the roads leading to the UN Human Rights office in Kololo, before military officers started beating them.
Namakumbi says that many of their colleagues have been left bleeding.