EU faults UCC, Police over harassment of journalists
AMBROSE GAHENE
The Danish ambassador to Uganda Mogens Pedersen has castigated Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Uganda Police Force, for the non observance of media freedoms in the country.
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Mogens voiced the concerns while making a key note address on behalf of European Union (EU) member states in Uganda, during the launch of Uganda’s Press Freedom Index 2017 Report at Kampala Imperial Royal Hotel on Friday.
“According to the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) Press Freedom Index Report; 113 violations against journalists involving, both state and non state actors were recorded during 2017. The violations
range from assault, denial of access to news scenes, malicious damage of journalists’ equipment, abduction, as well as unlawful arrests anddetention”, said Mogens.
He added that some media houses have suffered close downs and in some cases specific programs that are considered offensive by state agencies were banned.
“We therefore urge the respective state agencies to fulfill their obligations to promote universal respect for, and observance and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the UN Charter”, he said.
HRNJ-Uganda executive director Robert Ssempala said the police were leading violators of media freedoms in 2017, accounting for 83 cases out of 113 (73 per cent), followed by UCC and judiciary for second and third positions
with six (5.3 per cent) and four (3.5 per cent) cases respectively.
“There were few violations by non- state actors; including private security personnel, MPs and mobs”, he added.
HRNJ-Uganda Board Chairman, Julius Esegu, called upon media proprietors to exercise professionalism by defending journalists, whenever they are in trouble, during the course of carrying out their duties.
“We call upon media owners to protect their journalists at all times, instead of abandoning them in times of difficulties and expecting these journalists to sort out their problems on their own”, said Esegu.
