Journalists Body threatens blackout unless Army, Police punish officers who attacked media

Human Rights Network For Journalists - Uganda (HRNJ) has given the army 48 hours to name and charge officers involved in harassing and torturing journalists who covered the Free Bobi Wine protests on Monday, August 20, 2018.

HRNJ Executive Director Robert Sempala says the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) is well known for carrying out unending investigations against errant officers.

Sempala says the Special Forces Command and the Uganda Police Force (UPF) will be held to account for the injuries journalists have suffered in reporting on these demonstrations. He says both institutions owe the journalistic fraternity an apology.

HRNJ says should police and the army fail to issue an apology, name and punish the offending officers, a blackout will be declared on all their activities. All members of HRNJ will cease to give journalistic coverage to their activities.

Among the journalists beaten up on Monday, August 20, 2018 are James Akena of the Reuters, Julius Muhumuza of Dream TV, Juma Kirya, Ronald Galiwango of NTV, Kenneth Kaweesa of NBS among others.