By; Our reporter
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. David Muhoozi has ordered the arrest and punishment of soldiers who battered journalists during a Joint Operation on Kampala yesterday.
The order comes a day after James Akena, a photographer working for Reuters news agency was beaten by UPDF soldiers, arrested and detained for several hours as he covered protests in Kampala.
The protestors were demanding the release of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, who is detained at Makindye Military Barracks.
Among those who were beaten or roughed up are NTV journalists Ronald Galiwango and Juma Kirya, as well as Observer photographer Alfred Ochwo.
In a statement issued this afternoon by the Defence Spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire “UPDF wishes to express its displeasure over such behaviour by those individuals, and as a result, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has ordered for their arrest and punishment.
The Ministry of Defense has also apologised to the journalists who were molested, reiterating their commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with the media fraternity in the course of executing thier core functions as laid out in the Constitution.
Earlier, Human Rights Watch, an international watchdog issued a statement demanding that Ugandan police and military should immediately order a stop to attacks on the media and ensure that they fully respect and protect the rights of all protesters.
Oryem Nyeko, an Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch said that beating and arresting journalists are evidence the authorities want to cover up security forces’ conduct and curtail the public’s access to information.
Next:
Previous:
