By STEPHEN OUMA BWIRE
Members of the media are
in the news again for
for being in the “wrong
place at the wrong time” and thereby
suffering repression from the Uganda
Police.
On April 12, 2023 two journalists
from the Next Media House (NBS TV)
Mr Francis Isano and Thomas Kitimbo
were attacked and pepper sprayed
during a demonstration by intern
doctors. The journalists, despite being
clearly identifiable in their television
Press Jackets, with employment Press
cards and holding cameras, Corporal
Ogwal Yeeko went ahead to act
unprofessionally by spraying pepper
into the journalists’ eyes.
The journalists who were running
as they were being pursued by police,
sustained injuries.
The Leadership of the Uganda
Police Force later issued a Press
statement condemning the manner
in which the two journalists were
treated and apologizing for the acts.
Police Spokesperson SCP Enanga
Fred said although the officer
in question issued an apology to
the journalists he has still been
suspended and handed over to the
Police Professional Standards Unit for
investigations.
Violence against journalists
by security agencies is not new
in Uganda. Police has directed
repression at the journalists covering
oppossion events, demonstrations by
disgruntled members of the public,
students , lecturers, traders, workers,
professionals and even women
among others.
To the consternational of journalists some police officers seem to be following the January 8, 2021
remarks by the Inspector General of
Police (IGP) Martin Okoth Ochola
that police would continue beating
journalists as they protect them.
The apology by the Uganda police
is not enough after they have inflicted
bodily injuries on the journalists..
Members of the media are now
demanding for punitive and deterrant
measures taken against perpetrators
of crimes against journalists.
The offenders, whether in the
army or police or any other security
agencies,. must be held personally
accountable. Offenders should be
prosecuted in courts of law and
forced to compensate the journalists
for property destroyed and bodily
injuries suffered.
Article 29 of the 1995 Ugandan
Constitution gurantees freedom of
the Press and Article 41 of the same
constitution gurantees the right of
Ugandans to access to information
Police has a duty to keep law and
order and to protect Ugandans and
their property.
Security agencies should stop
curtailing access to information ,
suppressing independent media,
stifling freedom of expression and all
together muzzling media freedom.
The media is a watchdog and mirror
for society, and has a duty to inform
the public what is going on using a
multiplicity of sources at its disposal
without fear of favour. Uganda police
should protect the media in its noble
duties of serving the nation ■
