By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The High Court (Civil Division) in Kampala on On Wednesday (November 13, 2024) awarded a sum of 150 million Ugandan shillings in damages to two Vision Group journalists; Henry Ssekanjako and Timothy Murungi, who were assaulted by security officers in 2021.
The journalists were attacked while covering an event involving Robert Kyagulanyi, leader of the National Unity Platform, as he submitted a petition to the United Nations Human Rights office in Kololo, Kampala on February 17, 2021.
In his ruling, Justice Boniface Wamala justified that the journalists’ constitutional rights to dignity, freedom from torture, and freedom of the press were violated. He declared that the journalists were subjected to “torture, inhuman, and degrading treatment,” which contravenes Articles 24, 29(1)(a), and 44(a) of Uganda’s Constitution.
This followed a case filed by the Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) alongside the two journalists seeking accountability from the UPDF, the Attorney General, and eight military officers.
Justice Wamala ruled that the Ugandan government, Lt. Col. Namanya Napoleone, Capt. Jessy Odwenyi, L/Cpl Kassim Zirimenya, Cpl. Justine Nimusiima, Pte Peter Wasswa, Pte Imran Tsame, Pte Victoria Kisakye, and Pte Isaac Opiyo to jointly pay the awarded damages.
“The applicants are entitled to compensation by way of damages for such wrongful conduct on the part of the respondents,” ruled Justice Wamala.
The ruling underscores the importance of upholding media freedom in Uganda, a fundamental right protected under the country’s constitution.
Emmanuel Kirunda, Secretary General of UJA welcomed the ruling which he described as a landmark to shaping the Uganda’s press freedom. He said the ruling is objective and fair to the entire media fraternity.
