Friday, August 24, 2018

Media Lobby Condemns Attacks on Uganda Journalists
FRIDAY AUGUST 24 2018
Kenya Daily Nation
   
Journalists battered
An NTV video grab shows Ugandan soldiers beating up Reuters photojournalist James Akena as he covered the protests over the detention of several opposition MPs in Kampala on August 20, 2018. PHOTO | NTV UGANDA

In Summary
On Monday, Ugandan soldiers were caught on camera beating up a Reuters photojournalist James Akena as he covered a demonstration in the capital Kampala.

CPJ wants those responsible held accountable.

By Cecil Odongo

An advocacy group, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has condemned Ugandan forces' brutality against journalist covering the ongoing protests in Uganda against detention of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine.

CPJ wants those responsible held accountable.

ATTACK

Earlier this week, Ugandan security forces beat and detained more than four journalist in Kampala and confiscated and damaged some of their equipment.

CPJ on Thursday called on the Ugandan government to conduct thorough investigations into the assault on journalists and hold accountable those responsible.

The media lobby group also wants the government to commit to preventing future violence and detention of journalists by security the security forces.

CPJ raised alarm over President Yoweri Museveni's silence following the attack on journalists.

"President Museveni's public disdain for the news media is especially alarming given the ongoing crackdown by police and military personnel on journalists working to keep Uganda's public informed," CPJ said in statement.

On Monday, Ugandan soldiers were caught on camera beating up a Reuters photojournalist James Akena as he covered a demonstration in the capital Kampala.

Other journalists meted out with brute force and their equipment damaged include; Herbert Zziwa (NTV), Ronald Muwanga (NTV), Julius Bakabaage (NBS), Ronald Galiwango (NTV), Juma Kiirya (NTV), Kyambadde Samuel (Metro FM) and Richard of Ghetto TV.

Uganda police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said police did not target journalists and termed the assault and detentions unfortunate.

On the other hand, Uganda army spokesperson Richard Karemire said the military top brass was displeased over the unprofessional conduct of soldiers who attacked journalists and added that the Chief of Defence Forces had ordered the arrest and punishment of those involved.

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