By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Three journalists from Kampala have filed assault and damage to equipments against security guards of tycoon Hamis Kiggundu also known as Ham.
David Sekayombya, Vision Group (Bukedde TV), Isaac Tenywa and Musisi Lwanga accuse Ham Kiggundu’s security guards of physically assaulting and damaging their equipment while they were on duty covering a fire outbreak that razed of the Ham’s funding in Nakivubo down kampala on Wednesday.
The journalists allege that in the view of the businessman who they allege that the covered report was undesirable to him. The case was filed at Old Kampala police station vide reference no. SD 128/28/08/2024 by the victimized journalists.
Journalists body, Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has expressed outrage and discontent over the attack which they say is a violation of press freedom and human rights.
Emmanuel Kirunda, UJA Secretary General demanded for immediate action against the perpetrators. The association calls for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, an apology, and compensation for the journalists’ medical expenses and damaged equipment.
In a separate incident, the UJA has also demanded the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Didas Mugisha, Director of Junias Nursery and Primary School in Gombe division, Nansana municipality for unleashing violence on journalists Robert Musanje and Daniel Sserwanga during a teachers’ industrial action at his school on August 27, 2024.
Additionally, UJA emphasized the importance of protecting press freedom and preventing Uganda from descending into lawlessness and impunity.
“We would not want to be pushed against the wall get tempted to mobilize ourselves to carry laws in our hands in retribution for that anarchy. If justice doesn’t prevail for the affected journalists promptly, we shall announce our next cause of action against the perpetrators,’ UJA SG said.
Hamis Kiggundu’s media relations team was yet to issue an official communication regarding this attack.
