FDC activists rough up journalists at party headquarters
A number of journalists were on Monday morning assaulted by activists at the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) headquarters in Najjanankumbi, along the Kampala- Entebbe highway.
It all started when some party officials informed journalists that the weekly press briefing could not be held because the person supposed to address it was holed up in a series of meetings.
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As journalists started complaining of not being informed in time, two activists including Henry Katumba and another only identified as George locked some of them in the pressroom.
It took the intervention of journalists who were out to help force open the pressroom’s door triggering a fight with the youthful activists who always hang around the headquarters as bodyguards to officials.
However, some party officials intervened and stopped the fight by pulling one of the activists away.
Uganda Journalists Association spokesperson, Ronald Kabuye confirmed they had received a report regarding the incident and they would take action.
“We want a genuine apology from the party leadership not later than today and they should assure us of safety of journalists at the opposition party headquarters,”Kabuye said.
“They need to assure us that in future, if the press conference is not to sit, we should be informed in time so we don’t waste time and logistics coming to Najjanankumbi.”
The UJA spokesperson implored the opposition political party to always be at the fore front of fighting for rights of all people, including journalists.
“If they fail to apologise, we shall announce a boycott for their activities for an unspecific period of time.”
Harold Kaija, the party's deputy secretary general later issued an apology on behalf of the party saying FDC does not condone such behaviour.
He said investigations will be carried out and the activists will be disciplined.
