By Ben Musanje
27th July 2023
The Human Rights Network for Journalists -Uganda (HRNJ-U) have expressed readiness to drag the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to courts of law once the assaulted journalists approve it.
Unknown goons coming from within the opposition party offices at Najjanankumbi last week turned guns on journalists who had gone to cover a press briefing by the party chairman, Wasswa Birigwa and beat them mercilessly whereas some of their gadgets and phones were also damaged.
Diana Nandudu, the Program and Legal Officer of HRNJ-U says that though they heard a meeting between the victims and FDC leadership, the network will ensure that all the assaulted journalists get justice.
She however advises journalists to always avoid settling matters outside court since it limits them from getting justice and fairness.
Charles Katabalwa of Radio Sapientia, who is one of the victims, confirms to have had a dialogue meeting with the FDC President Patrick Amuriat, the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) leadership and the other victims where they agreed on certain things including compensation of damaged gadgets and payment of medical bills among others.
He says they are still awaiting the response from the FDC on what they had agreed to either proceed to court or abandon court strategy.
Meanwhile, the HRNJ-U Executive Director Robert Ssempala warns of joining the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Editors Guild of Uganda and other stakeholders to challenge President Museveni’s directive of channeling all government advertising through the National Broadcasters UBC and the Vision Group.
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