Uganda Journalists Union Condemns Andrew Lwanga’s Assault by Police The Uganda Journalists Union (UJU), as condemned the brutality that was vented by the police led by the Old Kampala DPC Joram Mwesigye onto journalists. The journalists were covering proceedings by a group called the unemployed youth group who were matching to Naguru Police Headquarters to seek permission to hold several rallies later this month. The youth claimed that they were taking a letter to the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura in line with the new public order management law that regulates public assemblies. In the scuffle that ensued the police on orders of Mwesigye turned onto the hapless journalist where a WBS camera man Andrew Lwanga was beaten on the head with a big stick by one of the officer sending him into partial coma. Lwanga was later treated at a nearby clinic and discharged after doctors there declared his condition as stable. Below is the full statement condemning police’s uncouth action; PRESS RELEASE UJU CONDEMNS POLICE FOR BEATING UP WBS TV JOURNALIST KAMPALA – MONDAY – JANUARY12 – 2015 The Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) condemns in the strongest terms possible the clobbering, flogging and torture of Wavah Broadcasting Services (WBS) Television Journalist by the Police. WBS Television cameraman Andrew Lwanga was filming the arrest of youth activists when Old Kampala Police DPC; Joram Mwesigye, ordered his arrested and instructed his men to clobber and flog him on the road side. The journalist sustained injuries after being beaten and flogged on the tarmac while his camera was damaged as the police kicked him from all sides. WBS Television senior Editor John Baptist Imokola said the journalist has been treated in a clinic and discharged, adding his condition stable and is improving. He confirmed the Journalist’s camera was damaged and that the station is opening up a case against the Police. The Uganda Journalists Union (UJU) President Ms Lucy Anyango Ekadu said the Police must stop forthwith acts of repression directed at the Journalists. Perpetrators of these .human rights violations must be brought to book and prosecuted if the rule of law is to prevail in Uganda,” she said. She said the Police must apologize and take full responsibility for the wrath unleashed on the journalist, including compensating him for the injuries inflicted plus damages to his camera. “If Police does not guarantee safety of Journalists then we could impose a blackout on all government functions,” she said. Ugandan Journalists could be facing a precursor to the 2016 Parliamentary and Presidential elections campaigns where the worst could be encountered by the media. Stephen Ouma Bwire GENERAL SECRETARY investigator.co.ug/local-news/4682-uganda-journalists-union-condemns-andrew-lwanga’s-assault-by-police.html
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 19:32:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015