UJA Condemn Brutal Attacks On Journalists While At FDC Offices

The president of Uganda Journalists Association Mr Mathias Rukundo has condemned the attacks and called for the arrest of the suspects as well as the return of the stolen gadgets belonging to journalists .

This Followed the event on Thursday, in which one of their colleagues was injured and others lost their gadgets, journalists have come out to condemn the senseless attacks on them.

As she arrived to cover a press conference at the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Ms. Nowamani Ainembabazi, a journalist for Vision Media Group, was assaulted by unidentified thugs outside the party’s headquarters and was later taken to the hospital.

In his July 20 press statement, Mr. Rukundo stated that “the violence meted out to journalists is not only illegal but also a clear violation of press freedom under articles 29 and 40 of the constitution of Uganda.”

We condemn these assaults on press freedom, he continued, and we demand that the suspects be arrested right away. We also demand the prompt restitution of any journalistic work equipment that has been stolen.

Furthermore, according to Mr. Abaas Mpindi, executive director of Media Challenge Initiative (MCI), a non-governmental organisation that mentors young journalists, such actions not only jeopardise the safety of media professionals but also undermine the press freedom principles that are essential for a well-informed and flourishing society.

He continued, “We implore all parties concerned to respect the safety and security of journalists, ensuring they may discharge their duties free from fear of harm or harassment.