By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, has strongly condemned the brutal attack on Top TV journalist Miracle Ibrah by security operatives.
Miracle sustained severe injuries on his left eye during a scuffle as the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT) attempted to arrest a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate following his nomination for Kawempe North by-election on Wednesday. He was rushed to a nearby clinic for first aid and later transferred to Nsambya Hospital.
According to eyewitnesses, the chaotic arrest led to multiple casualties, including journalists who were covering the event. Hon. Ssenyonyi criticized the government for involving JAT in the electoral processes in Kawempe, stating that its role should be limited to counterterrorism and not elections.
He further demanded that the government take full responsibility for the journalist’s medical bills, emphasizing that press freedom should be respected.
“We are demanding that the government foots the entire bill until he fully recovers, replaces his camera and compensate him because we don’t know when he will be able to return to work,” Ssenyonyi stated.
He also pledged to push for justice, stressing that such incidents should not be normalized. Ssenyonyi called on media stakeholders, including news editors and media owners, to unite and fight for journalists’ rights, noting that the lack of solidarity in the media industry has contributed to the continued assaults on journalists.
Speaking to journalists from his hospital bed in Kampala, Miracle Ibrah recounted the horrifying attack.
“JAT officers pushed me into a trench, beat me severely on my left eye, and broke several bones. When I was rushed to a nearby clinic, they surrounded it and continued to brutalize me before I could receive first aid. I was later transferred to Nsambya Hospital,” he narrated.
Miracle revealed that he has already undergone three surgeries, with more procedures expected as per medical assessments. Classified hospital reports indicate that his injuries are critical, and there are uncertainties regarding the full recovery of his eyesight.
“He is in a terrible state,” Ssenyonyi said. “I have been engaging with medical personnel, and they are unsure whether his eye will fully recover.”
Although Miracle has regained some consciousness, doctors remain uncertain about whether he will be able to regain full vision.
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) and the Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ-Uganda) have decried the increasing violence against journalists, particularly those covering political opposition activities.
Robert Ssempala, the Executive Director of HRNJ-Uganda, questioned whether the law and security forces only protect certain individuals while disregarding others.
“There is a worrying increase in assaults on journalists, especially those covering opposition political activities. We demand that security agencies respect journalists’ rights and allow them to work without fear or reprisal,” Ssempala said.
He also expressed concern over the treatment of journalists in Central, Northern, and Western Uganda, calling for improved safety measures ahead of upcoming electoral activities.
“We appeal to the Electoral Commission to emphasize both security forces and political candidates the importance respecting journalists’ rights while conducting electoral activities ,” said Ssempala. ” We also call on security forces to refrain from abusing journalists’ rights and allow them safe passage to access news all the times.”
Additionally, Emmanuel Kirunda, the Secretary-General of UJA, called for a “name and shame” campaign against security personnel who violate journalists’ rights.
“We must expose and hold accountable those individuals who abuse journalists and other civilians. This impunity must stop,” Kirunda stated.
