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.
Daily Monitor
Tuesday May 04 2021
Mr Moses Waiswa, a journalist attached to Busoga one FM was rushed to hospital in critical condition after he was brutally beaten by police while covering NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine. PHOTO/ DERRICK WANDERA
Summary
During a press conference at their headquarters at Naguru in Kampala, police spokesperson Fred Enanga said Mr Ochola had commended journalists for the noble contribution.
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Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has appealed to the Judiciary to expedite the delivery of justice for 35 journalists whom it says were tortured while covering party activities.
“Many journalists who cover our activities have been targeted and we demand that they are given due justice. This spans from the Arua saga in 2018 to date,” Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, the party spokesperson, said during an event to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day.
Disciplinary measures against Ugandan army officers shrouded in mystery
6 minute read
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, and supporters outside the UN Human Rights Office office in Kampala, as journalists are assaulted by Uganda Military Police, 17 February 2021, BADRU KATUMBA/AFP via Getty Images The head of the Ugandan military apologises for the February 17 attack on journalists, promises to pay medical bills and claims officers have been disciplined.
This statement was originally published on cpj.org on 25 February 2021.
Ugandan authorities should ensure that soldiers who recently assaulted journalists covering an opposition political event are held to account in a credible and transparent process, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.