This Alert was originally published by HRNJ-Uganda on January 14, 2016.

A police officer –Detective Assistant Superintendent of police Angenyo Moureen, who investigated an assault and malicious damage to property case of a Wavah Broadcasting Services (WBS) Television journalist, Andrew Lwanga has on January 14, 2016, testified against the former Division Police Commander of Old Kampala Police Station Joram Mwesigye who is accused of assaulting the journalist.

However Lwanga’s damaged camera was not produced in court and the police could not trace its whereabouts. Angenyo had told court that during her investigations, she recovered a camera with the writings “WBS” and exhibited it together with Ssetimba’s torn trousers and the sketch plan. However, when prosecution led by Patricia Chingtho asked for the camera to be produced in court for identification by the witness, it was not available, forcing court to adjourn the hearing for nearly an hour, but by the time it resumed, the camera had not been brought to court. The prosecutor continued examining the witness much as no report was given about the missing camera (exhibit).

Angenyo told the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court presided over by a Principal Grade One Magistrate, Eremye James, that on January 12, 2015, she received instructions from her boss, who she did not name, to register a case of assault and malicious damage to property and further “arrest the suspect and find out what had exactly happened.” She said that she recorded both Lwanga and Joseph Ssettimba’s statements and later proceeded to the scene of crime at Bakuli-Old Kampala, from there she proceeded to arrest Joram Mwesigye and took him to the Central Police station, Kampala.

Since Lwanga’ brutal assault last year, he has endured severe pain and deformities. He was re-admitted at Norvik Hospital in Kampala earlier this year with severe back pain due to injuries sustained from the alleged assault. He walks on crutches; he was supported to get to court by two people. He needs 5,000 US Dollars to undergo a backbone surgery, which the family cannot afford. A fundraising campaign has been launched to expedite his treatment abroad.

Hearing of the case was adjourned to February 4, 2016.

Prosecution alleges that on January 12, 2015, while covering a demonstration by a group of unemployed youths, who were heading to the Police Headquarters in Naguru –a kampala suburb to deliver a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) General Kale Kayihura to allow them hold rallies in the different parts of the City, Andrew Lwanga and Joseph Ssetimba were assaulted by Joram Mwesigye, thereby sustaining body injuries and damaging Lwanga’ camera.

It is sad that the camera was not produced to support the case. The prosecution should bring to court this exhibit at the next hearing. We appeal to all media practitioners and well-wishers to contribute to Lwanga’s healthy fund to save his life.” Appeals the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.

This Alert was originally published by HRNJ-Uganda on January 13, 2016.

 A journalist working with a Masaka-based Buddu FM radio, Ali Golooba was on January 11, 2016 mobbed up by six private guards of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Bukoto South Parliamentary seat, Hajji Muyanja Mbabaali at Kiwangala Trading Center in Lwengo district, Central Uganda region. His tools of work were also confiscated.

Golooba was covering a political rally in which Mbabaali launched his campaigns. He told Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) that the men dressed in black asked him why he was recording their candidate’s speech. “I was recording Hajji Mbabaali’s speech from one of the loud speakers when one of his private security guards with black sunglasses confronted me demanding to know why I was recording their candidate. As I explained myself, about five others pounced on me and started kicking, boxing and slapping me. They grabbed my audio recorder which they confiscated.” Golooba told HRNJ-Uganda

He said that the scuffle lasted for over ten minutes as the men roughed him up and tried to whisk him away, but saved by other journalists and some of Mbabaali’s relatives. The rally was interrupted because of the scuffle. He told HRNJ-Uganda that he sustained an injury on his right leg as well as pain in his chest and the back because of the beating.

Golooba reported a case of assault at the Masaka Central Police Station. He has over five witnesses ready to record statements. Four other journalists have been attacked by politicians and or their supporters during campaigns in the same region since the NRM party primaries in September last year. Two cases have since been taken to court.

“HRNJ-Uganda condemns the blatant attack of journalists on duty by political contestants, their supporters and mainly the police. These cases should be investigated and the perpetrators punished. HRNJ-Uganda will work with the victims to pursue justice.” Said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala

This Alert was originally published by HRNJ-Uganda on January 8, 2016

 Ugandan police on January 7, 2016, detained  the Managing Editors of the Red Pepper and its sister paper, Kamunye, Ben Baryabaha and Mubiru Dickson respectively after a six  hour interrogation over publication of a dead body presumed to be of one Christopher Aine that appeared in both publications on  January 7, 2016.

By the time HRNJ-Uganda issued this alert on January 8, 2016, no one had been allowed to access the duo who was being detained at the police’s Special Investigations Unit headquarters in Kireka –a Kampala suburb.  The duo was interrogated by a group of six police personnel headed by the Acting Deputy Director Criminal Investigations Directorate (CIID), Odong Mark Paul.

The Red Pepper Publications legal officer, Sheba Amanya told HRNJ-Uganda that the police detectives denied them access to the duo, pending receiving directives from their superiors. “They were detained at 11:00pm on January 7 and were not charged. We have not been allowed to see them since we arrived here. The officers have told us they are waiting to hear from their bosses,” Sheba said.

Police accuses the duo for publishing a story on January 7, titled “Aine ‘Body’ emerges”. Christopher Aine, the head of presidential candidate, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi’s security team went missing about three weeks ago and his whereabouts remain unknown.

The State accuses him for allegedly assaulting Presidential candidate (incumbent) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s supporters who stormed Mbabazi’s   rally in Ntungamo, Western Uganda about a month ago.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango declined to comment on the matter when contacted by HRNJ-Uganda, “You go to Kireka and talk to them. Have they spent more than 48 hours in custody? Why are you following it up?” he told HRNJ-Uganda.

The Police spokesperson Fred Enanga could not pick up calls on his known mobile contact.

Social media has been awash with the said body of Aine who was reportedly arrested from his home in Kisaasi about 3 weeks ago by armed security men. Both the police and Mbabazi supporters have offered a cash reward for his whereabouts.

In 2013, the State closed down four media houses for 10 days over publication of a letter authored by the then security coordinator, Gen. David Sejusa alleging assassination plot of those said to be opposed to the president’s son presidential ambitions to succeed his father, President Museveni.

“Denying the editors’ access to their lawyers is a gross violation of their basic rights while in custodial interrogation. This amounts to miscarriage of justice to the journalists. If the State has the right information, it should release it to the media other than incarcerating the journalists,” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator Robert Ssempala.

This was originally published by hrnjuganda.org on November 30, 2015.

Agnes Najjuma, a Vision Group correspondent in Mpigi District was assaulted by Tumwesigye Charles, the Principal of Nsamizi Institute of Social Development while covering a story involving a suspected thief who was being beaten by the students. Tumwesigye also destroyed her camera. Nsamizi Institute is a public institution, located in Mpigi district, Central Uganda.

Najjuma a government owned Bukedde Television journalist was assaulted on November 24, 2015, while on duty. “As I approached the principal’s office, he grabbed my camera and hit it on his office table, he then grabbed me and pressed my ribs occasioning me a lot of pain,” Najjuma told HRNJ-Uganda. She reported a case of assault and malicious damage to property at Mpigi police station.

HRNJ-Uganda talked to Tumwesigye, he admitted damaging Najjuma’s camera though denied assaulting her, “the camera was spoilt and the matter is at police…. No no no, there was nothing like beating, you can confirm that with the police officer handling the case, I only asked the journalist to identify herself before filming me,” he told HRNJ-Uganda.

The Officer investigating the case, Ronald Mugarura told HRNJ-Uganda that Najjuma had been examined and the medical form showed that there was harm on her body.

“We are deeply concerned with such violent conduct from a leader of an education institution who should be exemplary. Tumwesigye should be held criminally responsible and prosecuted. He should also be admonished by the Ministry of Education,” said the HRNJ-Uganda National Coordinator, Robert Ssempala.