IGP Ochola cautions police officers against harassing journalists

JOYCE BAGALA

The Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola has assured media editors that the police force will deal firmly with police officers who harass journalists in the course of their work.

Speaking to the editors at police headquarters, Ochola said he would soon issue a memo to restrain police officers from brutalising journalists.

"We are not going to compromise on the discipline of officers. Any police officer who assaults a journalist commits a crime," he said.

The meeting was called to iron out differences between the force and journalists following increasing cases of harassment of journalists by police officers.

In April during the trial of renegade police officer, Muhammed Kirumira, a number of journalists were assaulted by officers who tried to block them from covering the trial.

He urged the media to cooperate with the police if the two are to have a good working relationship.

Ochola said the police's standing orders will be revised because they have been overtaken by events and contradict certain laws.

"Some paragraphs are unconstitutional for instance there is one that says that before a woman gets married, they should seek permission," he said.

Brig Muzeeyi Sabiiti, the deputy IGP, said the police can work together with the media to enhance community policing.